United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a superseding indictment charging 11 individuals with steroid and prescription pill distribution offenses.  Eight of the individuals charged in the superseding indictment were arrested in April, and three individuals were arrested this morning.

According to allegations contained in 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 former Newtown Police sergeant Steven Santucci was receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.  The investigation further revealed that other members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone.

Charged in the 12-count superseding indictment are:

STEVEN SANTUCCI - , 38, of Waterbury
ALEX KENYHERCZ - , 28, of Ansonia
MARK BERTANZA - , 33, of Shelton
JASON CHICKOS - , 46, of Bridgeport
FRANK PECORA - , 53, of Derby
JEFFREY GENTILE - , 33, of Ansonia
STEVEN FERNANDES - , 54, of Southington
MICHAEL D. MASE - , 32, of Sherman
GUIDO VOLPE - , 36, of Prospect
JOHN KOCH - , 48, of Coventry
LOUIS BORRERO - , 52, of Ansonia

Santucci, Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Chickos, Pecora, Gentile, Fernandes and Mase were arrested in late April and were charged by indictment on May 6, 2015.  Volpe, Koch and Borrero were arrested today. 
The superseding indictment charges all of the defendants with one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000.  Santucci, Kenyhercz and Bertanza are also charged with six counts of possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, an offense that carries the same statutory penalties.

The superseding indictment also charges Kenyhercz, Bertanza, Gentile, Pecora and Borrero with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.  Pecora is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, both of which carry a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million, and with one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

In addition, Santucci is charged with one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $500,000.  This charge stems from Santucci’s alleged use of proceeds of the sale of anabolic steroids to wire payments to foreign sellers of ingredients to make liquid anabolic steroids, and to purchase drug packaging materials from domestic companies.

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.

All of the defendants are released on bond.

This matter is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rahul Kale and Robert M. Spector.

U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.