Four Arrested And Charged With Participating In A Marijuana Trafficking Conspiracy

BOSTON – Louis J. Dinunzio, 27, of Medford, Joseph Spagnuolo-Kazonis, 29, of Boston, John Woodman, 42, of Braintree, and Robert Fitzpatrick, 40, of Quincy, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana.

All four men were arrested today and will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston.

The charge of marijuana distribution conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of three years of supervised release and a maximum $1 million fine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

In a separate indictment returned on Wednesday, brought as part of a related ongoing federal investigation of organized crime in Massachusetts, two members of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra (NELCN) were charged with conspiring to collect extortionate protection payments from a video poker machine company based in Revere. Anthony “Spucky” Spagnolo, 72, whom the indictment alleges to be the acting boss of the NELCN, and Pryce “Stretch” Quintina, 74, both of Revere, were each charged with one count of conspiring to interfere with commerce through extortion.

Spagnolo and Quintina were also arrested this morning and will appear later today in U.S. District Court in Boston.

The charge of extortion affecting commerce carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; William P. Offord, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The cases were investigated with the assistance of the Boston, Medford, and Quincy Police Departments and the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney’s Timothy E. Moran of Ortiz’s Strike Force Unit and Seth B. Kosto of Ortiz’s Computer Crimes Unit.

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