BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – A federal complaint was unsealed today against five members of a drug and gun trafficking network that spanned multiple New England states. Ninety-four firearms were allegedly identified during the investigation, and one defendant is an alleged Trinitarios gang associate who operated a drug trafficking network in Maine.
The following individuals are charged with conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking:
1. Mackenzie Ray Bimpson, a/k/a “Mack,” 28, of Berlin, N.H.;
2. Michael David Miller, 31, of Littleton, N.H.;
3. Ernest Charles Laplante Jr., a/k/a “Chucky,” 56, of Littleton, N.H.;
4. Steve Perez, a/k/a “Bebo,” 34, of East Haven, Conn.; and
5. Nilbel Ventura Amaro, a/k/a “Nino,” a/k/a “Megamind,” a/k/a “Ben,” a/k/a “Migo,” 26, of Lawrence, Mass.
Miller, Laplante, Perez and Ventura Amaro were arrested this morning on federal arrest warrants in connection with the investigation. Bimpson is currently serving a state sentence in New Hampshire.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Bimpson was the leader of the drug and gun trafficking organization until his 2024 arrest and conviction on state drug charges in New Hampshire. Bimpson and Miller were allegedly the primary drug dealers for the organization, cultivating bulk amounts of marijuana and selling large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs to their network of customers in New Hampshire and Maine. Perez and Ventura Amaro allegedly supplied Bimpson and Miller with drugs in exchange for cash and firearms.
Bimpson and Miller could not legally possess or own firearms due to their prior criminal convictions. It is alleged that they discussed and acquired up to 94 identified firearms either through straw purchases, from private sales, or from Laplante, who allegedly manufactured homemade firearms (also known as “ghost guns”) in his residence. Laplante allegedly supplied privately made firearms to Bimpson and Miller in exchange for drugs and money.
Ventura Amaro was allegedly an associate of the Trinitarios transnational criminal organization who operated a drug trafficking network in Maine in coordination with the Trinitarios and under their protection. In May 2024, Ventura Amaro was allegedly kidnapped by members of the Trinitarios after he took over drug distribution in certain areas of Maine without including the Trinitarios or paying tribute.
Investigators recovered numerous photos and videos of, and conversations between, the defendants documenting their drug and gun conspiracy.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Mark B. Hall, Director of the New Hampshire State Police; and Chief Paul J. Smith of the Littleton, New Hampshire Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; Massachusetts State Police; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Grafton County (N.H.) and Coos County (N.H.) Sheriff’s Departments; and the Berlin (N.H.), Lebanon (N.H.), Norway (Maine), Rumford (Maine), Lawrence (Mass.), New Haven (Conn.), Andover (Mass.), and Lowell (Mass.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
