In the end, after losing his business, his home, and his Harley, all Frank Pecora said he had left was a dying German Shepherd named Roxxie.
But he won’t be there when his 12-year-old dog passes. Instead, Pecora will be in federal prison, serving a 37-month term for selling drugs.
Pecora, 55, formerly of New Haven Avenue in Derby, was sentenced Aug. 15 by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford for distributing prescription narcotics, cocaine, and steroids.
When he gets out, he’ll be on supervised release for three years.
Pecora was part of a sprawling federal investigation called “Operation Juice Box.”
It focused first on Steven Santucci, a dirty cop in Newtown who was sentenced to 16 months in prison Aug. 25 for or manufacturing and distributing steroids.
Pecora received a longer prison sentence than Santucci because he was a previously convicted felon. But the judge took some pity on him because he’s diabetic and in poor health.
Using cell phone taps and surveillance, the government’s wide-ranging investigation entangled several Naugatuck Valley residents, including Pecora.
When agents raided Pecora’s property in May 2015, they said they found prescription narcotic pills, steroids, 350 grams of cocaine, two .308-caliber rifles and two 12-gauge shotguns.
Convicted felons are not allowed to possess firearms.
Pecora eventually worked a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.
In pleading guilty, he also admitted that he unlawfully possessed firearms, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In a letter to the court dated Aug. 12, Pecora starts off by explaining how he was the only defendant from the investigation not to be given bail.
That prevented him from “getting his affairs in order,” such as prepping his oil-truck-cleaning business for his departure.
He implies punishment started before he had his day in court, and that he’s guilty of some crimes — but not to the extent the government and witnesses alleged.
“I am not saying I am not guilty. I’m saying I’m not guilty of everything they are saying,” Pecora wrote.
He mentions his kids won’t talk to him. His friends “headed for the hills.” His only rock? A 12-year-old dog, Roxxie.
“She is my true friend and I won’t be there for her at the end. I know she will be afraid and I won’t be there to comfort her,” he wrote.
In the end, though, Pecora accepts responsibility in the letter.
“Addiction got hold of me. I supported my pill and coke habit by selling coke, and when addiction gets a hold (of) you, it’s like the most intense love affair times ten. You forget everything and everyone.”
Court documents listed Pecora as owning the building that houses “Roxxie’s,” on Route 34 in Derby, a deli that put up a sign but never managed to open.
