Eight Members of Springfield-to-Vermont Drug Trafficking Organization Charged

BOSTON - Eight members of a drug trafficking organization operating between Springfield, Mass., and Barre, Vt., were indicted in federal court in Springfield in connection with a drug conspiracy involving money laundering and illegal firearms trafficking. A Hampden County Superior Court employee was also charged in the indictment.

The following eight individuals were charged in a 24 count superseding indictment unsealed today in connection with a heroin trafficking conspiracy. Each of the defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine. Six of the defendants are alleged to have engaged in money laundering offenses, two of the defendants allegedly conspired to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms, and a Hampden County Superior Court employee is alleged to have made false statements to federal agents in connection with the investigation. Four of the defendants are already in federal custody having been originally charged and arrested on Jan. 12, 2018; three defendants were arrested today and one is a fugitive.

1. Nia Moore-Bush, also known as “Nia Dinzey,” 28, of Springfield, currently in federal custody;
2. Dinelson Dinzey, 35, of Springfield, currently in federal custody;
3. Jamieson Gallas, 37, of Barre, currently in federal custody;
4. Tracy Parsons, 46, of Barre, currently released on conditions pending trial;
5. Daphne Moore, 55, of Springfield, was arrested today;
6. Oscar Rosario, 33, of Springfield, was arrested today;
7. Luis Niko Santos, 24, of Springfield; is a fugitive; and
8. Amanda Atkins, 35, of Barre, was arrested today.

According to court documents, the organization was trafficking heroin and cocaine base from Springfield to central Vermont. It is alleged that Moore-Bush and Dinzey obtained narcotics in the Springfield area and transported the narcotics to Vermont themselves or via couriers and distributed the drugs in the Barre area, where drug prices are much higher than in Springfield. 

It is further alleged that Moore-Bush, Dinzey, Parsons, Gallas, Moore, and Atkins laundered the proceeds of the drug conspiracy through bank accounts held by Moore in trust for Moore-Bush. The organization allegedly made cash deposits in Vermont, and Moore-Bush and Moore facilitated the withdrawal of those funds from the accounts in Massachusetts. It is further alleged that Moore-Bush and Dinzey conspired to launder drug proceeds through the purchase of an Audi vehicle. 

The superseding indictment also alleges that Moore-Bush and Dinzey conspired to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms. Moore-Bush allegedly sold two firearms on Feb. 16, 2017, and four firearms on May 5, 2017. Dinzey is charged with the conspiracy and assisting in the May 5, 2017, firearms sale. According to court documents, federal law enforcement traced all six firearms involved in these two sales to individuals connected to Vermont or New Hampshire. Both Moore-Bush and Dinzey are also charged with being felons in possession of the firearms they sold on May 5, 2017, or aiding and abetting that offense. Court records indicate that Dinzey has at least two prior felony drug convictions.

Finally, the superseding indictment charges Moore with making three false statements to federal agents on Jan. 12, 2018. Court records reveal that Moore is Moore-Bush’s mother and an assistant clerk magistrate at Hampden Superior Court in Springfield. Moore-Bush and Dinzey were residing with Moore at the time of their arrest on Jan. 12, 2018. Moore allegedly falsely stated that she did not know where Moore-Bush conducted her banking when, in fact, she knew that Moore-Bush used accounts held in Moore’s name in trust for Moore-Bush. She also falsely stated that she did not know that individuals from Vermont had been at her house and the whereabouts of a black Audi when, in fact, Moore had met and interacted with individuals from Vermont at her home and knew that Moore-Bush had sold the black Audi.

Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Dinzey and Gallas, who each have at least one prior felony drug conviction, face mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of 10 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20 million. The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and no greater than 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million.  For Santos, who has at least one prior felony drug conviction, the narcotics counts against him provide for a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2 million. The narcotics charges against Rosario and Moore provide for sentences of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Each money laundering charge carries a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of conspiring to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms each carry a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of making false statements to a federal agent provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Kristina O'Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Vermont State Police, and the Montpelier (VT) and Barre (VT) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine A. Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the cases.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.