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Indictments break up drug trafficking operation between Springfield/North Quabbin

Posted on: January 19, 2024 - 2:06pm
Springfield men charged in connection with drug trafficking to No. Quabbin region

GREENFIELD – Following a four-month investigation into a drug trafficking ring that had been ferrying large amounts of heroin/fentanyl and cocaine from Springfield to the North Quabbin region for street-level sales, a Springfield man has been arraigned in Franklin Superior Court on multiple felony charges.

Josiah Cheeseboro, 24, pleaded not guilty Thursday, Jan. 19, before Franklin Superior Court Judge John Agostini to charges of trafficking in a Class B substance (cocaine); trafficking in a Class A substance (fentanyl); and two counts of conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act. Cheeseboro had been indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on Jan. 5.

Northwestern Assistant District Attorneys Joseph Webber and Aidan Lanciani handled the case for the Commonwealth. Cheeseboro was represented in court by defense Attorney Robert Bray. Judge Agostini ordered Cheeseboro held on $100,000 cash bail.

The Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force launched the investigation into the operation in September 2023.  In addition to the indictment of Cheeseboro, the investigation also resulted in indictments against the following five codefendants, who are expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks:

  • Romeo Frazier, 23, charged with trafficking in 36-100 grams of fentanyl; trafficking in 36-100 grams of cocaine; unlawful possession of a firearm; unlawful possession of a loaded firearm; use of a firearm during the commission of a felony; unlawful possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number during the commission of a felony; and 2 counts of conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act.
  • Damian Scott, 19, charged with trafficking in 100-200 grams of cocaine and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act.
  • Tyshante Jennings, 21, charged with trafficking in 18-36 grams of cocaine; trafficking in 10 or more grams of fentanyl; and 2 counts conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act.
  • Michael Nelson Page, 36, charged with trafficking in 100-200 grams of cocaine; trafficking in 36-100 grams of fentanyl; and 2 counts conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act.
  • A juvenile from Springfield is also charged with possession of 200 bags of heroin/fentanyl.

Cheeseboro was arrested at his Springfield residence on Jan. 16, during which police discovered a large capacity firearm, a large capacity feeding device, and ammunition. Cheeseboro will face additional charges related to those items in Hampden County.

Criminal charges are based on probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.