Three Fitchburg Men Plead Guilty To Distributing Crack

BOSTON – Three Fitchburg men were convicted today in federal court on charges related to the distribution of crack cocaine.

Charles Simmons, a/k/a B, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and six counts of distribution of cocaine base. Michael Dorzin, a/k/a Bonz, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and two counts of distribution of cocaine base. Andre Dorzin, a/k/a Wish, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and four counts of distribution of cocaine base. U.S. District Judge Timothy S. Hillman scheduled sentencing for August.

Between July 2011 and October 2011, Simmons, Michael Dorzin, and Andre Dorzin participated in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine to a cooperating witness and on seven separate dates the conspirators distributed crack cocaine to the cooperating witness.

For conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the statutory mandatory minimum penalty is five years and up to 40 years in prison, followed by a period of supervised release (minimum of four years and up to life) and a $5 million fine. The distribution charge has a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, followed by a period of supervised release (minimum of three years and up to life) and a $1 million fine.

In January 2012, all three co-conspirators were arrested as part of Operation Red Wolf, a multi-agency investigation targeting gang members involved in drug dealing and firearms distribution in the Fitchburg area. Fourteen individuals have been charged in federal court as a result of that operation. To date, 12 of the 14 have been convicted, the remaining two await trial.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Boston Field Division; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Fitchburg Police Chief Robert A. DeMoura; Eugenio A. Marquez, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Timothy P. Alben, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cory Flashner, Mark Grady and Karin Bell of Ortiz's Worcester Branch Office Unit.