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Bridgeport Man Among 8 Busted On Steroid, Prescription Drug Charges

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A Bridgeport man was among a group of eight Connecticut men arrested as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation dubbed “Operation Juice Box” that investigated steroid and prescription pill distribution, U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly said Monday.

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for Connecticut

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for Connecticut

Photo Credit: Contributed

The arrests culminated from a long-term investigation into steroid and prescription pill distribution by multiple individuals, including a Newtown police sergeant, a Newtown police dispatcher and a Connecticut judicial marshal. The investigation, which included the use of wire and electronic surveillance for nearly two months, also revealed that members of the conspiracy imported steroids from China, Daly said.

“The international importation and sale of mass quantities of steroids in our communities is a serious offense that raises significant public health concerns,” she said.

The following individuals were arrested April 28 and April 29 on a federal complaint of conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of controlled substances including steroids and oxycodone:

  • Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport, and a civilian dispatcher with the Newtown Police Department;
  • Steven Santucci, 38, of Waterbury, and a sergeant with the Newtown police department;
  • Alex Kenyhercz, 28, of Ansonia;
  • Mark Bertanza, 33, of Shelton;
  • Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby;
  • Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, and a judicial marshal with the State of Connecticut;
  • Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington; and
  • Michael D. Mase, 32, of Sherman.

The government’s complaint affidavit, which was unsealed in court on April 30, said Bertanza was a steroid distributor who obtained his steroids from Kenyhercz. Wiretap interceptions over cellphones used by Bertanza and Kenyhercz, along with physical surveillance of various steroid sales, revealed that Santucci was supplying steroids to Kenyhercz. Agents learned that Santucci had been receiving shipments of steroids and related materials from China since 2011 and had been manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.

Chickos, Mase and Fernandes were Santucci’s steroid customers who, in turn, regularly distributed the steroids in smaller quantities to their own customers. Kenyhercz distributed quantities of steroids and prescription pills (including Roxicodone, Oxycodone, Suboxone and Opana). Gentile was a steroid distributor, and Pecora was a prescription pill distributor.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, 350 grams of cocaine and four long guns.

"Wearing a shield does not give you a free pass to peddle this poison in our neighborhoods or to our families," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. 

FBI Special Agent in Charge Patricia M. Ferrick said: “When law enforcement officers are involved in criminal activity, it brings a particular sense of urgency to the investigation." 

Santucci, Bertanza, Gentile, Mase, Fernandes and Chickos are charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.

Pecora and Kenyhercz and charged with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase have been released on bond. Pecora remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing May 5.

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