Operators of Millbury Plumbing Business Charged with Drug Conspiracy

BOSTON – The operators of a family-owned business in Millbury were arrested and charged in federal court in Worcester with using their business to cover up a drug conspiracy. 

Thomas Laverty, 37, of Clinton; Charles Laverty, 60, of Millbury; and Andrea Laverty, 61, of Millbury, were charged yesterday by federal criminal complaint with one count of conspiring to manufacture and distribute marijuana.  Charles Laverty and Andrea Laverty were arrested today, and Thomas Laverty is currently in state custody.   

It is alleged that Andrea, Charles, and their son, Thomas, used their business, Chuck Laverty & Son Inc., as a front for a large-scale, commercial marijuana cultivation and distribution operation.  Laverty & Son vehicles, bank accounts, and locations were used to facilitate drug manufacturing, storage, and distribution. 

On Oct. 17, 2017, law enforcement officers executed two search warrants: one at Laverty and Sons’ business warehouse in Clinton, which is attached to Thomas Laverty’s residence, where agents found a commercial-style marijuana grow operation, including more than 1,000 plants; and another at the residence of Charles and Andrea Laverty in Millbury, where agents found a large quantity of marijuana being dried and processed, as well as another marijuana grow operation.

It is further alleged that significant cash deposits were made into bank accounts controlled by Thomas Laverty and Andrea Laverty.  For example, during one week in January 2017, approximately $12,100 in cash was deposited into Thomas Laverty’s bank account; these funds were then used to pay private school tuition and to make payments on multiple cars.  In addition, in May 2017, Andrea Laverty used $28,000 derived from cash deposits as a down payment on an $80,000 2017 Chevrolet Corvette.

Thomas Laverty faces a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $500,000. Charles Laverty and Andrea Laverty each face a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, a minimum of two years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

 Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Michael Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.