Michael DePalma, Louis Turcio, Andrew Darling, Bath Salts Conspiracy, Vermont 2015

Three men have been charged with conspiring to distribute a potent synthetic stimulant known as ‘flakka’ or ‘bath salts’ in Vermont. Michael DePalma, 56, of Plainfield, New Hampshire, Louis Turcio, 51, of Springfield, Vermont, and Andrew Darling, 52, of North Walpole, New Hampshire, were arrested on a charge of conspiracy to distribute alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone, or a-PVP.

According to court records, DePalma, Turcio, and Darling participated in a months-long enterprise involving the importation of bath salts from China for distribution in Springfield and neighboring areas. The alleged conspiracy involved the online ordering of substantial amounts of bath salts, wiring of thousands of dollars overseas to purchase the product, and arranging for delivery of the bath salts to locations in Vermont and New Hampshire.

On April 14, 2015, law enforcement seized approximately one kilogram of a-PVP from Turcio in Springfield, Vermont. During the execution of a search warrant at Turcio’s residence on March 9, 2015, law enforcement recovered several handguns.

DePalma, Turcio, and Darling face a maximum possible penalty of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1,000,000 if convicted of the drug conspiracy offense. Turcio also faces a maximum possible penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted of the firearms charge.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the charges against DePalma, Turcio, and Darling are only accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty. Any sentences imposed in this case will be advised by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Springfield, Vermont Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the New Hampshire Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Plainfield, New Hampshire Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin J. Doyle. DePalma is represented by Jordana Levine, Esq., Darling is represented by Lisa B. Shelkrot, Esq., and Turcio is represented by Frank J. Twarog, Esq.

The defendants were ordered detained pending their detention hearings, which are scheduled to take place on October 2, 2015, for DePalma and October 6, 2015, for Turcio and Darling.

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