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Cops Arrested In Drug ‘Network’
Officers allegedly supplied one another with cocaine, steroids
By Samuel Bruchey and Zachary R. Dowdy
Staff Writers
September 19, 2002
Four police officers -- part of a group of Suffolk County friends who skiied, partied and worked out together -- have been arrested in connection with buying, using or selling cocaine or anabolic steroids, police, prosecutors and sources said yesterday.
The men, one Suffolk, one New York City and two state police officers, were arrested over the past two days in the culmination of an investigation that began two years ago, sources said.
Two of the officers, Thomas Foley, 30, a Suffolk County police officer currently on medical leave, and Robert Grettler, 34, a New York Police Department sergeant, were arraigned yesterday in First District Court in Central Islip after being arrested Tuesday outside their homes in Suffolk County, according to sources and court records.
Yesterday Foley's brother, James Foley, 25, and Michael Christy, both New York State troopers stationed on Long Island, were also arrested and are expected to be arraigned today on conspiracy charges relating to steroids, sources said.
As many as 10 civilians, three of whom were arraigned yesterday, were part of the group that supplied one another with cocaine or anabolic steroids, sources said.
Thomas Foley, a 7-year veteran of the department who in 1999 earned a Cop of the Month distinction, was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class B felony, and conspiracy in the fifth-degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Grettler, a 12-year veteran of the force who works in the Warrants section, was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class A felony. Sources said Grettler is on modified duty because of a pending charge in Suffolk County of domestic violence.
Both were being held at the Suffolk County jail in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner John Gallagher confirmed that Foley had been arrested, and suspended without pay, but declined to comment further.
Sources gave this account of the investigation:
In the winter of 2000, several Suffolk County police officers complained to the department's Internal Affairs bureau that Foley and other officers from different police departments had used cocaine during a ski vacation in upstate New York.
In December of that year, an anonymous civilian also filed a complaint that Foley, a former patrol officer in the Fourth Precinct, had been using cocaine.
Within the past year, Suffolk police officials reached out to the Internal Affairs bureau of the NYPD to supply undercover investigators who Foley would not recognize. As many as 12 officers became involved.
Ultimately, Foley, of 7 Harmon Place in Hauppauge, and Grettler, of 1700 Race Ave. in Medford, were arrested outside their homes on Tuesday. Both were held overnight at the Fifth Precinct in Patchogue.
A neighbor who spoke with Newsday on the condition of anonymity said the Foleys are a quiet, intelligent and close-knit family. Thomas Foley, the neighbor said, had attended Penn State University and never showed any signs of drug use.
At Grettler's home, his cousin -- who identified herself only as Marie -- said he wouldn't do anything contrary to being a good person, let alone a police officer. "Ever since he's been a cop, he's had nothing but promotions," she said. She also said he has three children all under age 8, and that his father was an NYPD detective.
Also arrested and arraigned yesterday on either criminal sale or conspiracy charges were Thomas Newman, 29, of 4 Mallard Path, Coram; Jason Gassick, 24, of 27 Michael Ave., Bellport; and Christopher Munizzi, whose address and age were not immediately available.
Newman, who was charged with one count each of fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy, was released on $20,000 bail.
Newman's attorney, Robert H. Montefusco of Riverhead, said his client owns a World Gym in Ronkonkoma and has led an exemplary life. "It seems to me that my client is caught up in an investigation of police officers that possibly involves corruption," he said.
The manager said Newman had owned the gym since 1996 and tanning salons called Midnight Sun, one in Hauppauge, the other in Bohemia.
Gassick, who was charged with one count each of second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, was being held at the Suffolk jail in lieu of $70,000 bail. Munizzi was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, along with one count each of fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy. He was released on $20,000 cash bail. Gassick could not be reached for comment. Munizzi declined to comment.
During the arraignment yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Edward Heilig said the men were involved in a "network," a criminal enterprise that engaged in "hand to hand sales" of cocaine and steroids.
Heilig said additional arrests are forthcoming and that Foley may face additional charges.
Foley's attorney, Eric Naiburg, said the bail request was excessive and added that his client has "never been in any way on the wrong side of the law."
"Why set $350,000 bail for a man who's led an exemplary life?" Naiburg said.
Heilig, however, countered that while an officer Foley "violated the trust that was placed in him by the citizens of this county."
Staff writers Andrew Smith, Nedra Rhone, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Rocco Parascandola and Theresa Vargas contributed to this story.
Copyright © 2002, Newsday, Inc.
Officers allegedly supplied one another with cocaine, steroids
By Samuel Bruchey and Zachary R. Dowdy
Staff Writers
September 19, 2002
Four police officers -- part of a group of Suffolk County friends who skiied, partied and worked out together -- have been arrested in connection with buying, using or selling cocaine or anabolic steroids, police, prosecutors and sources said yesterday.
The men, one Suffolk, one New York City and two state police officers, were arrested over the past two days in the culmination of an investigation that began two years ago, sources said.
Two of the officers, Thomas Foley, 30, a Suffolk County police officer currently on medical leave, and Robert Grettler, 34, a New York Police Department sergeant, were arraigned yesterday in First District Court in Central Islip after being arrested Tuesday outside their homes in Suffolk County, according to sources and court records.
Yesterday Foley's brother, James Foley, 25, and Michael Christy, both New York State troopers stationed on Long Island, were also arrested and are expected to be arraigned today on conspiracy charges relating to steroids, sources said.
As many as 10 civilians, three of whom were arraigned yesterday, were part of the group that supplied one another with cocaine or anabolic steroids, sources said.
Thomas Foley, a 7-year veteran of the department who in 1999 earned a Cop of the Month distinction, was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class B felony, and conspiracy in the fifth-degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
Grettler, a 12-year veteran of the force who works in the Warrants section, was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class A felony. Sources said Grettler is on modified duty because of a pending charge in Suffolk County of domestic violence.
Both were being held at the Suffolk County jail in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner John Gallagher confirmed that Foley had been arrested, and suspended without pay, but declined to comment further.
Sources gave this account of the investigation:
In the winter of 2000, several Suffolk County police officers complained to the department's Internal Affairs bureau that Foley and other officers from different police departments had used cocaine during a ski vacation in upstate New York.
In December of that year, an anonymous civilian also filed a complaint that Foley, a former patrol officer in the Fourth Precinct, had been using cocaine.
Within the past year, Suffolk police officials reached out to the Internal Affairs bureau of the NYPD to supply undercover investigators who Foley would not recognize. As many as 12 officers became involved.
Ultimately, Foley, of 7 Harmon Place in Hauppauge, and Grettler, of 1700 Race Ave. in Medford, were arrested outside their homes on Tuesday. Both were held overnight at the Fifth Precinct in Patchogue.
A neighbor who spoke with Newsday on the condition of anonymity said the Foleys are a quiet, intelligent and close-knit family. Thomas Foley, the neighbor said, had attended Penn State University and never showed any signs of drug use.
At Grettler's home, his cousin -- who identified herself only as Marie -- said he wouldn't do anything contrary to being a good person, let alone a police officer. "Ever since he's been a cop, he's had nothing but promotions," she said. She also said he has three children all under age 8, and that his father was an NYPD detective.
Also arrested and arraigned yesterday on either criminal sale or conspiracy charges were Thomas Newman, 29, of 4 Mallard Path, Coram; Jason Gassick, 24, of 27 Michael Ave., Bellport; and Christopher Munizzi, whose address and age were not immediately available.
Newman, who was charged with one count each of fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy, was released on $20,000 bail.
Newman's attorney, Robert H. Montefusco of Riverhead, said his client owns a World Gym in Ronkonkoma and has led an exemplary life. "It seems to me that my client is caught up in an investigation of police officers that possibly involves corruption," he said.
The manager said Newman had owned the gym since 1996 and tanning salons called Midnight Sun, one in Hauppauge, the other in Bohemia.
Gassick, who was charged with one count each of second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, was being held at the Suffolk jail in lieu of $70,000 bail. Munizzi was charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, along with one count each of fourth- and fifth-degree conspiracy. He was released on $20,000 cash bail. Gassick could not be reached for comment. Munizzi declined to comment.
During the arraignment yesterday, Assistant District Attorney Edward Heilig said the men were involved in a "network," a criminal enterprise that engaged in "hand to hand sales" of cocaine and steroids.
Heilig said additional arrests are forthcoming and that Foley may face additional charges.
Foley's attorney, Eric Naiburg, said the bail request was excessive and added that his client has "never been in any way on the wrong side of the law."
"Why set $350,000 bail for a man who's led an exemplary life?" Naiburg said.
Heilig, however, countered that while an officer Foley "violated the trust that was placed in him by the citizens of this county."
Staff writers Andrew Smith, Nedra Rhone, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Rocco Parascandola and Theresa Vargas contributed to this story.
Copyright © 2002, Newsday, Inc.
