HARTFORD – A former Newtown emergency services dispatcher pleaded guilty on Monday, October 19, in US District Court to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

In court, Jason Chickos, 46, of Bridgeport changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Chickos has been free on bond since his arrest late last April.

In pleading guilty, Mr Chickos admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others.  At the time, Mr Chickos was a civilian dispatcher for Newtown police, fire, and ambulance services.

Federal authorities allege that former Newtown police sergeant Steven Santucci, 39, of Waterbury headed a 12-man drug ring which included Mr Chickos.

Mr Chickos is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Robert Chatigny on January 11, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

In the same case, on October 16, Mark Bertanza, 34, of Shelton, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

In pleading guilty, Mr Bertanza admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others.

Mr Bertanza is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Chatigny on January 8, at which time he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Mr Bertanza was arrested in late April and is free on bond.

On October 6, a Sherman man pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids in the drug trafficking case.

Michael Mase, 32, pleaded guilty, reversing his earlier plea of not guilty.

In pleading guilty, Mr Mase, a registered nurse and a body builder, admitted that he purchased anabolic steroids from another member of the conspiracy and distributed them to others, including athletes who competed in body-building competitions.

Mr Mase is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Chatigny on December 23. Mr Mase is free on bond.

Mr Santucci, who is a free on bond, has been charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids; six separate counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of anabolic steroids; and conspiracy to launder money.

Mr Santucci has pleaded not guilty to all eight charges and is awaiting jury selection on January 12 for his criminal trial.  

Mr Santucci and Mr Chickos both resigned from their Town of Newtown jobs following their April arrests. The indictment against the men alleges that the criminal activity occurred between April 2009 and April 2015.

Mr Santucci joined the police department in November 2000 and became a sergeant in January 2012.

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 individuals, including a law enforcement officer, were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids.  The investigation also revealed that certain members of the conspiracy were distributing prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine.

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.