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Shelton man involved in steroids ring sentenced
By Nancy Doniger on February 17, 2016 eastoncourier dot com
A Shelton man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to three years of probation for his role in a steroid manufacturing and distribution ring.
The judge additionally ordered Mark Bertanza, 34, of Shelton, to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine. Bertanza pleaded guilty on Oct. 16, 2015, to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced the sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations revealed that Steven Santucci, a former Newtown Police sergeant, and others were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids, Daly said.
The investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine. Bertanza purchased anabolic steroids from Santucci and distributed them to others. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, approximately 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, approximately 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns, Daly said.
Santucci was arrested on April 29, 2015, and pleaded guilty to steroid distribution and money laundering offenses on Dec. 9, 2015. He was released on a $100,000 bond and awaits sentencing.
A total of 12 individuals, including Easton Police Commissioner Raymond Martin, were arrested as a result of the long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Martin was arrested July 14 and was released on a $100,000 bond. As alleged in the criminal complaint, a court-authorized wiretap intercepted Martin engaging in text communications with other members of the conspiracy, discussing the distribution of anabolic steroids and oxycodone. Martin’s case is pending. He has a probable cause hearing scheduled for March 2 in the U.S. District Court in New Haven.
Former Newtown emergency communications dispatcher Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids. In pleading guilty, Chickos admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others.
Chickos was sentenced by Judge Chatigny on Jan. 11 to two years of probation for his role in the steroid manufacturing and distribution ring, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Chatigny also ordered Chickos to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.
Another member of the conspiracy, Alex Kenyhercz, 29, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty Jan. 11 in Hartford federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The other individuals charged in the ring are Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby, Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington, Guido Volpe, 36, of Prospect, John Koch, 48, of Coventry, and Louis Borrero, 52, of Ansonia.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert M. Spector are prosecuting the case.
Shelton man involved in steroids ring sentenced | Easton Courier
By Nancy Doniger on February 17, 2016 eastoncourier dot com
A Shelton man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to three years of probation for his role in a steroid manufacturing and distribution ring.
The judge additionally ordered Mark Bertanza, 34, of Shelton, to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine. Bertanza pleaded guilty on Oct. 16, 2015, to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.
Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced the sentence.
According to court documents and statements made in court, a long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations revealed that Steven Santucci, a former Newtown Police sergeant, and others were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids, Daly said.
The investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine. Bertanza purchased anabolic steroids from Santucci and distributed them to others. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, approximately 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, approximately 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns, Daly said.
Santucci was arrested on April 29, 2015, and pleaded guilty to steroid distribution and money laundering offenses on Dec. 9, 2015. He was released on a $100,000 bond and awaits sentencing.
A total of 12 individuals, including Easton Police Commissioner Raymond Martin, were arrested as a result of the long-term investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Martin was arrested July 14 and was released on a $100,000 bond. As alleged in the criminal complaint, a court-authorized wiretap intercepted Martin engaging in text communications with other members of the conspiracy, discussing the distribution of anabolic steroids and oxycodone. Martin’s case is pending. He has a probable cause hearing scheduled for March 2 in the U.S. District Court in New Haven.
Former Newtown emergency communications dispatcher Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport pleaded guilty Oct. 19 in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids. In pleading guilty, Chickos admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others.
Chickos was sentenced by Judge Chatigny on Jan. 11 to two years of probation for his role in the steroid manufacturing and distribution ring, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Chatigny also ordered Chickos to perform 120 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.
Another member of the conspiracy, Alex Kenyhercz, 29, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty Jan. 11 in Hartford federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The other individuals charged in the ring are Frank Pecora, 53, of Derby, Jeffrey Gentile, 33, of Ansonia, Steven Fernandes, 54, of Southington, Guido Volpe, 36, of Prospect, John Koch, 48, of Coventry, and Louis Borrero, 52, of Ansonia.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert M. Spector are prosecuting the case.
Shelton man involved in steroids ring sentenced | Easton Courier
