HARTFORD - The sentencing of a former Newtown police sergeant on two federal drug crime convictions has again been postponed.Motion To Delay

Steven Santucci, 39, of Waterbury, had been scheduled for sentencing on July 8, but his attorney has requested and received a delay in the case, with that sentencing now slated for August 25.

Santucci initially was scheduled for sentencing in US District Court on March 3, but he requested and received a delay in sentencing to allow him to complete a technical training course on becoming an electrician.

Based on a plea agreement reached in the case after Santucci pleaded guilty to two drug crimes, Santucci may spend multiple years in federal prison, receive a sizable fine, and perform substantial probation after his prison term. Santucci is free on bail.

In the plea agreement with Assistant US Attorney Rahul Kale, Santucci pleaded guilty to two felonies - conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and also conspiracy to launder money.

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 plea agreement, 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 which would last for some period between two years and life.

In the plea agreement, Santucci acknowledges that 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. Also, Santucci agrees that he will not withdraw his guilty pleas to the two charges if the judge, in effect, imposes a sentence stricter than the one listed in the plea agreement.

In the defense motion to delay Santucci's sentencing, attorney Dan LaBelle states that due to "some scheduling conflicts" additional time was needed for the preparation of a presentence report in the case.

Santucci joined the Newtown Police Department in November 2000.

Federal authorities have described Santucci 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.

Both Santucci and Chickos were arrested in April 2015, after which they resigned their positions.

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.

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.