Springfield Drug Ring Busted: 12 Sentenced for Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Firearm Charges

Twelve Defendants Sentenced for Springfield, Vermont Drug Ring’s Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Firearm Crimes

Burlington, Vermont – In a crushing blow to the Springfield, Vermont’s illegal drug trade, twelve defendants have been sentenced for their roles in a massive cocaine and fentanyl distribution ring.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the conspiracy involved the distribution of controlled substances on Valley Street in Springfield, Vermont and elsewhere. The conspirators armed themselves with firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy, and at certain times, firearms were discharged in Springfield in connection with the drug trafficking activity.

This investigation began in March 2022, and the first arrest occurred in November 2022 following the execution of federal search warrants on several addresses on Valley Street. The collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Massachusetts State Police, the Springfield Police Department, and the Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office led to the dismantling of this Springfield, Vermont-based drug ring.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing of the twelve defendants, which occurred between March 2023 and June 2025. Each of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Sentencing was handed down by three different judges. Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss imposed sentences ranging from 8 months to 108 months. United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford imposed sentences of 72 months, while United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. and United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier handed down sentences of 75 months and time served, respectively. United States District Judge William K. Sessions, III handed down sentences of time served to be followed by 2 years of supervised release for Michael Cotter, and time served to be followed by 1 year of supervised release for Derek Arie.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognized the hard work and dedication of Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig, as well as the valuable assistance provided by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Gilman and Joe Perella.

The defense teams for the defendants included Natasha Sen, Esq. for Anibal Castro, Sr., Robert Behrens, Esq. for Jonathan Castro, Karen Shingler, Esq. for Anibal Castro, Jr., Kevin Henry, Esq. for Derek Arie, Michael Shklar, Esq. for Martine Protas, Mark Oettinger, Esq. for Michael Cotter, Peter Langrock, Esq. for Jessica Auclair, Richard Bothfeld, Esq. for Kerri Yaqoob, John-Claude Charbonneau, Esq. for Alex Barnes, Stephanie Greenlees, Esq. for James Hines, Chandler Matson, Esq. for Todd Amell, and Jason Sawyer, Esq. for Jennifer Armstrong.

This sentencing marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against the illegal drug trade in Vermont. As the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work tirelessly to bring these individuals to justice, Grimy Times will remain committed to providing in-depth coverage of this and other important crime stories.