Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BOSTON - A Springfield man pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield on Monday, May 6, 2019, to his role in a firearms, narcotics, and money laundering conspiracy. 

Dinelson Dinzey, 35, pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine; five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine; two counts of money laundering conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; one count of engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms; and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled Dinzey’s sentencing for Sept. 4, 2019. Dinzey and seven others were charged in a superseding indictment on Dec. 21, 2018.

According to court documents, Dinzey and co-defendant Nia Moore-Bush obtained narcotics in the Springfield area, 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.

Dinzey then conspired to launder the proceeds of the drug sales through bank accounts allegedly held by another co-defendant, Daphne Moore, in trust for Moore-Bush. Court records state that the organization would make cash deposits in Vermont, and Moore-Bush and Moore would facilitate the withdrawal of those funds from the accounts in Massachusetts. Dinzey also conspired with Moore-Bush to launder drug proceeds through the purchase of an Audi vehicle. 

It is alleged that Dinzey further conspired with Moore-Bush and others to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and to participating in a May 5, 2017, firearms sale. According to court documents, federal agents traced six firearms involved in this conspiracy to individuals connected to Vermont or New Hampshire. Dinzey also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of the firearms sold on May 5, 2017. Court documents indicate that Dinzey has been convicted of felony drug offenses in state courts on three prior occasions.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to life in prison, at least 10 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $20 million. Each money laundering conspiracy 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 $500,000. The charges of conspiring to engage in the unlicensed dealing of firearms and engaging in the unlicensed dealing of firearms, provide for 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 being a felon in possession of a firearm, carries a sentence of at least 15 years and up to life 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 and Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston, the Massachusetts State Police, the Vermont State Police, the Montpelier (VT) and Barre (VT) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katharine A. Wagner of Lelling’s Springfield Office and Amy Harman Burkart of Lelling’s Boston Office are prosecuting the cases.

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

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