MAY 4, 2015
HARTFORD, CT
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.”