BOSTON – Four Cape Cod residents were charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with drug and money laundering offenses.
David Landry, 27; his mother, Diane Johnson, 50, both of Mashpee; Justin Groom, 26, of Hyannis; and Evan Lopes, 27, of East Wareham, were named in an indictment charging possession with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute methylone (also known as “molly”), being a felon in possession of a firearm and money laundering conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that from May 2014 to January 2015, Landry and Groom conspired to manufacture and distribute marijuana, and possessed marijuana with the intent to distribute it. Landry, who was arrested and has been in custody since Sept. 12, 2014, is alleged to have continued participating in the criminal offense while in jail on state charges. Groom is also charged with eight counts of money laundering in connection with using the proceeds of the illegal activities to pay the rent of the Cheryl Lane house. It is also alleged that Lopes, aided by Landry, possessed with intent to distribute methylone on Jan. 15, 2015. The indictment further alleges that Landry, a convicted felon, constructively possessed a CZ model CZ100, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol on Jan. 21, 2015.
Finally, the indictment alleges that from 2010 to 2015 Landry and his mother, Diane Johnson, conspired to launder drug proceeds in order to disguise the nature of the funds and continue the drug trafficking activity.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and possession of marijuana and methylone with intent to distribute provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of three years of supervised release and up to a lifetime, and a fine of $1 million. The charges of money laundering and money laundering conspiracy provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Daniel J. Kumor, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Barnstable Police Chief Paul MacDonald; Barnstable County Sheriff James M. Cummings; Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Cape & Islands District Attorney Michael O’Keefe, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ted Heinrich of Ortiz’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Media release furnished by U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts District
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