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Shelton Man Gets Probation For Role In Steroid Ring

SHELTON, Conn. -- A Shelton man was given three years of probation Wednesday for his role in a steroid ring, according to Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. attorney for Connecticut.

Deirdre M. Daly

Deirdre M. Daly

Photo Credit: Contributed

Mark Bertanza, 34, was sentenced in federal court in Hartford for distributing steroids. Bertanza was also ordered to perform 120 hours of community service and to pay a $1,000 fine, Daly said.

He pleaded guilty in October to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids.

According to Daly and court documents, other members of the ring included Steven Santucci, a former Newtown police sergeant; and Jason Chickos, a former Norwalk police dispatcher who had also been a civilian dispatcher for the Newtown Police Department.

Chickos, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and was sentenced to two years of probation, 120 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine, Daly said.

Santucci, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty in December to steroid distribution and money laundering. He awaits sentencing.

The investigation found that Santucci, and others in the ring were receiving shipments of steroid ingredients from China and making 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, Daly said.

Bertanza purchased anabolic steroids from Santucci and distributed them to others, Daly said.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized hundreds of vials of steroids, 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns, Daly said.

Another member of the ring, Alex Kenyhercz, 29, of Ansonia, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in federal court in Hartford. He is scheduled to be sentenced in April and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, she said.

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