Springfield man sentenced for fentanyl, cocaine distribution

BURLINGTON, VT. (WWLP) – A Springfield man who was an organizer or leader of a drug conspiracy in the Northeast has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Vermont, 29-year-old Juan Carlos “JC” Ortiz of Springfield was sentenced to seven years and 11 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Ortiz had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

Ortiz and twelve other people were charged with distributing drugs and all have pleaded guilty in their court cases. Ortiz was a leader in the group and stayed at multiple hosts throughout Vermont where he prepared and distributed drugs.

Between November 2021 and August 2022, Ortiz relied on his co-conspirators to do drug distributions that were previously arranged and to provide him transportation between Vermont and Massachusetts to pick up and sell drugs. Several of these conspirators had firearms during these drug activities and would receive firearms in exchange for drugs.

Ortiz’s guilty plea was part of a plea agreement with the United States in this case.

Local News

Crews put out fire outside Red Roof in South Deerfield

Man bails from car during traffic stop in Montgomery captured

Homes in the area of a gas leak in Longmeadow evacuated

Rental bikes returning to western Massachusetts communities

22News began broadcasting in March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow WWLP-22News on X @WWLP22News and Facebook .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.