Steven Santucci, a Newtown Police sergeant, has pleaded not guilty to drug charges. Contributed Photo: The Newtown Bee
NEWTOWN — Days after the town’s Board of Police Commissioners broke its silence on the drug trafficking allegations against two members of the police department, First Selectman Pat Llodra released her own statement condemning the reported actions.
Llodra said the claims against former Sgt. Steven Santucci and civilian dispatcher Jason Chickos are “very concerning” but do not represent a pattern within the department.
A federal grand jury this month indicted the two men, along with six others, on charges of distributing steroids and prescription drugs. Santucci and Chickos are also believed to have conducted drug deals inside the police department, according to court records.
“It is bad enough that these two employees may have been involved in trafficking illegal substances,” Llodra wrote in an emailed statement over the weekend. “It is further shocking and insulting to think that transactions may have been executed right within our police facility.
Jason Chickos, of Bridgeport, a civilian dispatcher for the Newtown Police Department, was arrested for illegal distribution of steroid and prescription drugs. Contributed Photo: The Newtown Bee
“It should never be thought, however, that these two bad apples are typical of our sworn police personnel or of our dispatchers,” she added. “The 40 plus Newtown officers, rank and file and command personnel, and the 10 dispatchers serve our community with honor and integrity every day, under all sorts of circumstances.”
The former sergeant, who lives in Waterbury, is accused of receiving shipments of steroids and other materials from China since 2011 and distributing steroids, Xanax, oxycodone and counterfeit Cialis. Chickos, a Bridgeport resident, was one of Santucci’s primary redistributors, according to the arrest affidavits.
“That two employees of these departments did not meet those standards is indicative of personal character flaws, and not flaws in the departments under which they worked,” Llodra said.
Her statement echoes the thoughts of the town’s police commissioners, who have called the allegations “totally unacceptable” and “highly disturbing.”
The eight suspects pleaded not guilty in federal court in Hartford last week. Jury selection for the case, labeled “Operation Juice Box,” is scheduled for July 14.