V-Labs Busted in Connecticut.
Update: Newtown Police Sergeant, Dispatcher Arrested in Alleged Steroid Ring Bust
Several law enforcement officers arrested and charged with Distribution. There will be more to come.
Update: Sgt. Steven Santucci resigned from the department following his arrest, said Capt. Joe Rios.
A multi-agency investigation into an alleged steroid and prescription pill distribution network yielded several arrests, including that of a Newtown police sergeant, dispatcher and a judicial marshal.
“Operation Juice Box,” was a long-term investigation that involved wire and electronic surveillance for nearly two months. It revealed the import of steroids from China, said United States Attorney Deidre Daly in a release.
Law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, about 600 grams of raw testosterone powder and 350 grams of powder cocaine. Four long guns were also seized.
“The international importation and sale of mass quantities of steroids in our communities is a serious offense that raises significant public health concerns,” Daly said. “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.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick said corruption always matters for the FBI.
“When law enforcement officers are involved in criminal activity, it brings a particular sense of urgency to the investigation. 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. This ongoing investigation is being conducted in close collaboration between the FBI, the DEA, DHS, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Newtown Police Department.”
Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton allegedly distributed steroids obtained from Alex Kenyhercz, 28 of Ansonia.
Newtown Sgt. Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury allegedly supplied steroids to Kenyhercz and Santucci allegedly received steroid shipments from China since 2011 and had been manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.
Others involved allegedly bought the steroids and would sell to their own customers.
Kenyhercz allegedly distributed prescription pills, Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia would allegedly distribute steroids and Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby would allegedly sell prescription pills.
The following people were arrested:
STEVEN SANTUCCI, 38, of Waterbury, and a Sergeant with the Newtown Police Department,
ALEX KENYHERCZ, 28, of Ansonia,
MARK BERTANZA, 33, of Shelton,
JASON CHICKOS, 46, of Bridgeport, and a civilian dispatcher with the Newtown Police Department,
FRANK PECORA, 53, of Derby,
JEFFREY GENTILE, 33, of Ansonia, and a Judicial Marshal with the State of Connecticut,
STEVEN FERNANDES, 54, of Southington,
MICHAEL D. MASE, 32, of Sherman
Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase have been released on bond. Pecora remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on May 5, 2015.
Santucci, Bertanza, Gentile, Mase, Fernandes and Chickos, are charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. Pecora and Kenyhercz are charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.
Update: Newtown Police Sergeant, Dispatcher Arrested in Alleged Steroid Ring Bust
Several law enforcement officers arrested and charged with Distribution. There will be more to come.
Update: Sgt. Steven Santucci resigned from the department following his arrest, said Capt. Joe Rios.
A multi-agency investigation into an alleged steroid and prescription pill distribution network yielded several arrests, including that of a Newtown police sergeant, dispatcher and a judicial marshal.
“Operation Juice Box,” was a long-term investigation that involved wire and electronic surveillance for nearly two months. It revealed the import of steroids from China, said United States Attorney Deidre Daly in a release.
Law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, about 600 grams of raw testosterone powder and 350 grams of powder cocaine. Four long guns were also seized.
“The international importation and sale of mass quantities of steroids in our communities is a serious offense that raises significant public health concerns,” Daly said. “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.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia Ferrick said corruption always matters for the FBI.
“When law enforcement officers are involved in criminal activity, it brings a particular sense of urgency to the investigation. 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. This ongoing investigation is being conducted in close collaboration between the FBI, the DEA, DHS, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Newtown Police Department.”
Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton allegedly distributed steroids obtained from Alex Kenyhercz, 28 of Ansonia.
Newtown Sgt. Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury allegedly supplied steroids to Kenyhercz and Santucci allegedly received steroid shipments from China since 2011 and had been manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.
Others involved allegedly bought the steroids and would sell to their own customers.
Kenyhercz allegedly distributed prescription pills, Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia would allegedly distribute steroids and Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby would allegedly sell prescription pills.
The following people were arrested:
STEVEN SANTUCCI, 38, of Waterbury, and a Sergeant with the Newtown Police Department,
ALEX KENYHERCZ, 28, of Ansonia,
MARK BERTANZA, 33, of Shelton,
JASON CHICKOS, 46, of Bridgeport, and a civilian dispatcher with the Newtown Police Department,
FRANK PECORA, 53, of Derby,
JEFFREY GENTILE, 33, of Ansonia, and a Judicial Marshal with the State of Connecticut,
STEVEN FERNANDES, 54, of Southington,
MICHAEL D. MASE, 32, of Sherman
Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase have been released on bond. Pecora remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on May 5, 2015.
Santucci, Bertanza, Gentile, Mase, Fernandes and Chickos, are charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. Pecora and Kenyhercz are charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.
