United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office announced that twelves defendants have been sentenced in connection with drug and firearm charges related to a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl between March and November 2022 in Springfield, Vermont. The last sentencing occurred June 16, 2025. All twelve defendants previously pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, the drug conspiracy involved distribution of controlled substances on Valley Street in Springfield, Vermont and elsewhere. The conspirators armed themselves with firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. At certain times, firearms were discharged in Springfield in connection with the drug trafficking activity. Several of the conspirators were arrested on November 30, 2022, following the execution of federal search warrants on several addresses on Valley Street.

Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss imposed the following sentences, each followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release: 

Anibal Castro, Sr.  – 108 months 

Jonathan Castro – 98 months

Alex Barnes – 47 months

James Hines – 38 months 

Jessica Auclair – 8 months

Jennifer Armstrong – Time Served 

United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford imposed the following sentences, each followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release: 

Anibal Castro, Jr.  – 72 months 

Martine Protas – Time Served

United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. imposed the following sentence, followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release: 

Kerri Yaqoob – 75 months

United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier imposed the following sentence, followed by a three-year term of federal supervised release:

Todd Amell – Time Served

United States District Judge William K. Sessions, III imposed the following sentences: 

Michael Cotter – Time Served to be followed by 2 years of supervised release

Derek Arie – Time Served to be followed by 1 year of supervised release 

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory and 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. 

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew Gilman and Joe Perella offered valuable assistance