Twelve individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a drug and firearm conspiracy in Springfield, Vermont. The charges included conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, as well as unlawful possession of firearms. These activities took place between March and November 2022.
Court documents reveal that the group distributed controlled substances on Valley Street in Springfield and other locations. Firearms were used to further the conspiracy, with some incidents involving gunfire related to drug trafficking. Several conspirators were apprehended on November 30, 2022, after federal search warrants were executed at various addresses on Valley Street.
Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Anibal Castro Sr. to 108 months, Jonathan Castro to 98 months, Alex Barnes to 47 months, James Hines to 38 months, Jessica Auclair to eight months, and Jennifer Armstrong received time served. Each sentence includes a three-year term of federal supervised release.
United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Anibal Castro Jr. to 72 months and Martine Protas received time served; both sentences include a three-year term of federal supervised release.
United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. sentenced Kerri Yaqoob to 75 months followed by three years of supervised release.
United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier gave Todd Amell time served with an additional three-year term of supervised release.
United States District Judge William K. Sessions III imposed sentences on Michael Cotter (time served plus two years of supervised release) and Derek Arie (time served plus one year of supervised release).
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Vermont State Police, Vermont Drug Task Force, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Massachusetts State Police, Springfield Police Department, and Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig represents the United States in this case with assistance from Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Gilman and Joe Perella.
Legal representation for the defendants includes Natasha Sen for Anibal Castro Sr., Robert Behrens for Jonathan Castro, Karen Shingler for Anibal Castro Jr., Kevin Henry for Derek Arie, Michael Shklar for Martine Protas, Mark Oettinger for Michael Cotter, Peter Langrock for Jessica Auclair, Richard Bothfeld for Kerri Yaqoob, John-Claude Charbonneau for Alex Barnes; Stephanie Greenlees represents James Hines; Chandler Matson represents Todd Amell; Jason Sawyer represents Jennifer Armstrong.
