Newtown Police Chief Condemns 'Sordid Actions' by Santucci, Local Officials 'Saddened'

Newtown Police Sgt. Steven Santucci, the alleged leader of a steroid-based drug ring that sometimes operated out of the police building in town, submitted a letter of resignation that was unanimously accepted by the Police Commission Tuesday night without much comment from members.

Commission Chairman Paul Mangiafico said that Santucci had served as a police officer for 25 years (since 2000 with Newtown) and was a Newtown sergeant for the past three years. Mangiafico then simply stated that he was “saddened by the circumstances.” No other members of the board spoke to the incident or resignation during the public meeting.

For nearly four years, it is alleged that Santucci imported drugs from China and sold them through a series of local distributors who were also charged this week with conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances. One of his main distributors and alleged right-hand-man in the operation was Jason Chickos, a dispatcher for the Newtown Police Department who sometimes left illegal drug payments for Santucci inside his office desk drawer at the Newtown police station.

Santucci and Chickos have been released on bond and are set to have probable-cause hearings in federal court this month, although a specific date has not yet been set, according to Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice. Lawyers will present evidence to a grand jury who will then decide to return an indictment, Carson said. Chickos has been on leave since his arrest and Santucci’s resignation from Newtown PD is effective as of May 1. Santucci and Chickos face up to ten years in prison and fines up to $500,000.

“The sordid actions of a few do not represent or diminish the exemplary work performed each and every day by police and dispatching staff at the Newtown Police Department,” said Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe in a statement. Kehoe also applauded the professional work performed by his staff “since the news of the arrests were made known to them.”

During the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Santucci acted as a spokesperson for the department for a period of time, and was even quoted by CNN in a Dec. 25, 2012 interview, stating that Newtown officers would be given the day off on Christmas because officers from surrounding towns volunteered to patrol. Santucci was allegedly dealing drugs during this period of time.

Officials say that since 2011 Santucci has been importing bulk steroids in powder and liquid forms from China and other places, repackaging them for retail sales that were distributed at Fitness Edge Gym in Fairfield, Conn., and Griffin Hospital’s parking lot in Derby, Conn., among other sites, according to the affidavit provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Connecticut.

Related:

• Affidavit: Former Newtown Cop Took $30k Safari, Cruises While Selling Steroids
• Affidavit: Newtown Cop Completed Illegal Drug Deals Inside Department Building
• Update: Newtown Police Sergeant, Dispatcher Arrested in Alleged Steroid Ring Bust

“The dedicated and honorable men and women of the police and dispatching departments are disappointed that two individuals broke the trust and sanctity of the Newtown Police workplace by brazenly behaving in the manner as described in the affidavit,” Kehoe said in the statement.

Santucci deposited nearly $300,000 in cash deposits into his bank account between 2011 and 2014, above his approximate $82,000 yearly salary with the Newtown PD, the affidavit shows. Credit card statements also show he flew first-class to Europe, Africa, and South America, spending about $310,000 on travel expenses, including more than $30,000 on an African safari.

As investigators recently zeroed in on Santucci via electronic surveillance, an April 27 text message from Santucci to a seller stated, “Everyone’s just saying there was a little pinch.” Investigators believe Santucci was nervously referring to a third party in the operation who had just been arrested by authorities.

Santucci was arrested two days later.

Patch File Photo

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