HARTFORD–Eight individuals have been arrested after a joint task force involving several agencies executed a sting during the investigation into the sale of steroids and prescription pills.
On April 29 and 30 the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, made up of members from the FBI, Drug Enforcemnt Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, concluded the investigation dubbed Operation Juice Box by arrested several Connecticut residents.
Through the use of wire and electronic surveillance over a two-month period, it was revealed that police officers, a judicial marshal, and other individuals had not only participated in distributing steroids and oxycodone, but also in allegedly importing steroids from China.
Here are a list of the individuals who were arrested:
- Newtown Police Sgt. Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury
- Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport, who is a civilian dispatcher for the Newtown Police Department
- Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, who is a judicial marshal for the state of Connecticut
- Alex Kenyhercz, 28, of Ansonia
- Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton
- Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby
- Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington
- Michael D. Mase, 32, of Sherman
A press release issued by the Newtown Police Department states that Santucci was hired as a probationary police officer on Nov. 17, 2000, and was promoted to sergeant on Jan. 1, 2012. He makes approximately $81,540 per year. Meanwhile, Chickos was hired by the town as an emergency communications dispatcher on April 1, 2012, and he makes approximately $54,450 per year.
“When law enforcement officers are involved in criminal activity, it brings a particular sense of urgency to the investigation,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick. “While disconcerting, this matter involving a Newtown Police Officer, a Connecticut Judicial Marshal, a Newtown Public Safety Dispatcher and others is not indicative of the fine work and dedication to public service exhibited by the vast majority of those individuals working within the criminal justice and law enforcement community.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a series of wiretaps and instances witnessed by officers following the case revealed the structure of the drug distribution scheme: Sgt. Santucci allegedly obtained shipments of steroids from China starting in 2011, and also manufactured and distributed his own steroids. Santucci then provided the drugs to Kenyhercz, who subsequently sold the drugs to Bertanza, who was a local steroid distributor. Chicos, Mase and Fernandes were customers who also distributed steroids in smaller quantities to their own customers.
Kenyhercz is also accused of distributing prescription pills, including Roxicodone, Oxycodone, Suboxone and Opana.
Gentile is also alleged to be a steroid distributor, while Pecora allegedly distributes prescription pills.
Officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, 350 grams of powder cocaine and four long guns during the raid.
Santucci Bertanza, Gentile, Mase, Fernandes and Chickos have been charged with conspiracy to distribute steroid, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. Pecora and Kenyhercz were charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, which has a maximum sentence of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.
Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase were all released on bond. Pecora remains in custody pending a detention hearing on May 5.
“The international importation and sale of mass quantities of steroids in our communities is a serious offense that raises significant public health concerns,” stated U.S. Attorney Deirdre Daly. “I thank the agents and officers who have dedicated themselves to this difficult case. Through their hard work, they have identified and arrested the source of these steroids, thus preventing further harm to the community.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael Ferguson echoed the statements of Agent Ferrick. “Wearing a shield does not give you a free pass to peddle this poison in our neighborhoods or to our families. This type of criminal behavior does not represent the fine work and dedication to public service that is exhibited by the vast majority of law enforcement officers.”
