HARTFORD- In an August 11 sentencing memorandum filed on behalf of former Newtown Police Sergeant Steven Santucci, 40, of Waterbury, his lawyer urges that a federal judge issue a prison sentence that is more lenient than that listed in a nonbinding plea agreement between Santucci and the US Attorney for Connecticut.Ring Member Sentenced

In December 2015, Santucci pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and also to conspiracy to launder money. He is scheduled for sentencing on August 25.

Besides the potential for multiple years in prison, Santucci could receive a sizable fine, and also be required to perform substantial probation after his prison term. Santucci is free on bail.

The steroids charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years' imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. Conspiracy to launder money carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a $500,000 fine. Thus, the maximum possible penalty for those two convictions would be 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Under the terms of the nonbinding plea agreement reached after Santucci pleaded guilty, the defense and the prosecution are recommending to the judge that the sentence involve somewhere between 57 months and 71 months of prison time, a fine of some amount between $10,000 and $100,000, and probation following the prison sentence that would last for some period between two years and life.

The presiding federal judge is not bound by the terms of the agreement and may hand down some other sentence, either stricter or more lenient.

"Apart from his involvement with anabolic steroids, Mr Santucci has led an exemplary life characterized by a high degree of public service," Attorney Dan LaBelle wrote on behalf of his client.

Mr LaBelle said that Santucci's involvement with steroids grew out of the gym and weightlifting culture in which he participated in for many years.

"Around age 30, Mr Santucci turned to steroids to 'get an edge' so that he could develop the body image that he desperately sought," Mr LaBelle wrote.

The lawyer added that Santucci began manufacturing steroids to tailor the drug's performance to his requirements. Later, Santucci started selling his steroids to people in the gym and bodybuilding community, Mr LaBelle added.

"There is no easy explanation for how an otherwise law-abiding individual of obviously good character could get so deeply involved in the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs," the lawyer added.

"He engaged in a persistent pattern of illegal conduct which put his health and his career at grave risk. As a consequence, he has lost his career and he is now at risk of losing his liberty," Mr LaBelle wrote.

"All the purposes of sentencing will best be served by the imposition of a sentence well below the guideline range [of 57 to 71 months]," the attorney wrote.

Santucci joined the Newtown Police Department in November 2000 and resigned in April 2015, after being arrested on multiple drug charges. Federal authorities have described him as the "ringleader" of a 12-man anabolic steroids manufacturing and distribution network, which also involved Jason Chickos, 47, of Bridgeport, a former civilian dispatcher for Newtown emergency services.

Chickos pleaded guilty to a felony drug charge and in January was sentenced to two years of probation, community service, and received a $1,000 fine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, starting in 2009, Santucci and others were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids. An investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine. Santucci manufactured and distributed wholesale quantities of steroids, according to investigators.

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 several firearms.

According to a statement from the US Attorney, on August 15, Frank Pecora, 55, of Derby, was sentenced to 37 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing prescription narcotics, cocaine, and steroids. Pecora was a member of the drug ring headed by Santucci.

In January, Pecora, a previously convicted felon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone. In pleading guilty, he also admitted that he unlawfully possessed firearms. Pecora has been detained since his arrest.

The drug ring was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the US Marshals Service, US Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.