By Michael Donoghue
EAGLE TIMES CORRESPONDENT
BURLINGTON, Vt. — A third defendant charged in connection with a sweeping drug and gun investigation in the Springfield area pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Burlington on Monday.
Jonathan “Jose” Castro, of Springfield, denied a charge that he was part of a conspiracy involved in the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine between March and Nov. 30. Authorities said Castro is 33 years-old, but the defendant told the court he is 32.
The indictment said he conspired with Anibal “Papi” Castro, Sr., believed to be 54, of Springfield, Derek Arie, 34, of Springfield, and at least two other defendants, but their names have been blacked out in court papers.
Authorities continue to look for those two missing defendants but have not asked the public for help in locating them.
Federal, state and local authorities raided 3 apartments at 70, 77 and 78 Valley Street in Springfield as part of the ongoing drug and gun investigation.
Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle agreed on Monday to unseal some of the records surrounding the court-ordered searches, but still kept under seal the affidavits that provide justification for police entering the apartments.
The apartments were on the first floor at 70 Valley Street and were on the second floor at 77 and 78 Valley Street, the newly released records show.
Doyle also agreed during Castro’s arraignment to order him held as a danger to the community.
Defense lawyer Roberts Behrans, who did not contest detention for the time being, acknowledged his client is on suboxone.
Doyle said he would set a March 2 deadline for pre-trial motions.
Castro was arrested in Lebanon, N.H. and a subsequent search of the apartment uncovered two firearms, cocaine and suspected drug proceeds, officials wrote.
Castro, who has ties to Springfield, Mass. has a criminal record that includes felony convictions for distribution of heroin and for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, both in 2017 in Massachusetts, records show.
Martine Protas, 43, of Springfield, is charged in a federal criminal complaint that said she was in illegal possession of a loaded firearm while police were doing surveillance as part of the drug raid last week.
Anibal “Papi” Castro, Sr. of Springfield pleaded not guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl from March to November 30. Authorities say he is 54, but Castro said in court he was either 56 or 57 years-old.
Anibal Castro, who has a history of equipping himself with firearms, has about five felony convictions in New York State going back to 1991, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary B. Stendig said.
The raids and arrests were based on the investigative and collaborative efforts of the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Vermont State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the police departments in Springfield, Windsor, Brattleboro, and in Lebanon, N.H., along with the Office of Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Ward Goodenough.
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