HARTFORD - Jeffrey Gentile, 35, of Ansonia, was sentenced on September 7, by US District Judge Robert N. Chatigny, to serve three years of probation plus perform 150 hours of community service, for his role in a steroids and prescription pill distribution drug ring that was headed by former Newtown police sergeant Steven Santucci, according to a statement from US Attorney for Connecticut Deirdre M. Daly.

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 Santucci and others were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and manufacturing and distributing wholesale quantities of steroids. Certain members of the conspiracy also distributed prescription pills, including oxycodone, as well as cocaine.

The investigation revealed that Alex Kenyhercz, of Ansonia, purchased anabolic steroids from Santucci and distributed them to others. Gentile obtained steroids from Kenyhercz by paying him, in part, with Adderall, which is an amphetamine, according to the statement.

At the time of this offense, Gentile was a Connecticut juvenile detention officer.

Gentile was arrested on April 29, 2015. On October 5, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of amphetamine, which is a federally controlled substance.

Santucci and Kenyhercz pleaded guilty to related charges. On August 25, 2016, Santucci was sentenced to 16 months of imprisonment, six months of home confinement, 120 hours of community service, and a $5,000 fine. Kenyhercz awaits sentencing.

During the course of the investigation into the 12-member drug ring, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, approximately 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, more than 1,000 oxycodone pills, approximately 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns.

Santucci, who joined the Newtown Police Department in 2000, resigned shortly after he was arrested in April 2015. Court papers indicate he was involved in illegal drug activity for about six years before his arrest.

On September 8, Santucci, 41, was being held at Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution in Glenville, W.Va. His projected release date is December 7, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Another convicted member of the drug ring, Jason Chickos, 48, who formerly was a dispatcher at the Newtown Emergency Communications Center, received two years' probation at his sentencing in January 2016, a $1,000 fine, and 120 hours of community service.