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Norwalk Sheriff, Firefighter Indicted in Drug Case

NORWALK, Conn. – A Norwalk sheriff and firefighter have been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, oxycodone and marijuana, according to an indictment filed in federal court in Connecticut.

City Sheriff Efstrati "Steve" Papadakos, a Norwalk real estate agent, and Firefighter James Lyons are among seven city residents charged in the indictment. The others are Savvas "Steve" Giannoglou, Carlos "Carlito" Hendricks, Qasim Seyal, Dimitrios Karpidis and John Yerinides. The men were arrested last week. There was no date on the indictment. (A copy of the indictment is attached below.)

The indictment alleges that Papadakos, Lyons and Seyal used a telephone to assist in the distribution of controlled substances. Yerinides is accused of possessing cocaine on Aug. 6 and 16.

Art Scialabba, chairman of the Republican Town Committee, said in an email that he has asked Papadakos to resign his position as city sheriff. A city sheriff serves papers and collects legal fees for his services, according to the city charter. It is an elected position; Papadakos won last November's election for the post, beating Democrat Vinny Mangiacopra by 77 votes.

Lyons has been suspended from the fire department without pay, Chief Denis McCarthy said.

Papadakos tried and failed to win state Sen. Bob Duff's 25th District senate seat in 2008. Lyons became a firefighter on May 24, 2010, according to The Hour.

Also arrested were Demetrious "Jimmy the Greek" Papadakos, Alfred Catino (also known as Alphonse Catino, Frank Ross, Frank Russo, Anthony Vitacco, Chico, the Old Man and Herbie), Konstantinos Zografidis (also knowns as Gus and Poncho), David Solano (also known as Papi and Butterfly), Domenick Ribustello (also known as Dom and D), George "Georgi" Tkaczya, Jr., Vasiliki "Vaso" Papadakos and Ioannis "Johnny" Papachristou.

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