Two Massachusetts Men Charged with Drug-Related Shooting Death in Rutland

RUTLAND – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 19, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Dylin Wainscott a/k/a “Slim,” 30, of Springfield, Massachusetts and Precious Okorie, a/k/a “P,” 32 of Springfield Massachusetts, with the fatal shooting of a victim in Rutland, Vermont on November 15, 2024, in the course of a conspiracy to distribute drugs in Vermont. The indictment also charged Dakota Moretti, 35, of Rutland, Vermont, and Nichole Siliski, 40, of Rutland, Vermont, with participating in that drug distribution conspiracy. Previously, the grand jury returned multiple indictments charging Wainscott with possession of ammunition as a convicted felon on November 15, 2024, charging Wainscott, Okorie, Siliski and Moretti with conspiring to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, and charging Wainscott and Okorie with discharge of a firearm during the course of that drug conspiracy. A previous indictment also charged Laryssa Johnson, 33, of Rutland, Vermont with participating in the drug conspiracy. Johnson pled guilty to that charge on December 16, 2025. The indictment returned on August 19, 2026, was the first indictment in this case to charge Wainscott and Okorie with causing a death through the discharge of a firearm during the drug conspiracy. Also on August 19, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a notice that it would not be seeking the death penalty in connection with these charges. The defendants have been arrested, arraigned, and detained in connection with other indictments returned in this case and all will be arraigned on the most recent superseding indictment. Wainscott was originally arraigned on May 1, 2025, pleaded not guilty to the charge against him, and was detained pending trial. Okorie was arraigned on July 21, 2026, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and was subsequently detained pending trial. Siliski was arraigned on June 25, 2026, pleaded not guilty to the charges against her, and was detained. Moretti was arrested on August 18, 2026, in South Carolina and was detained pending his transportation to Vermont to face charges against him. According to court records, Wainscott shot and killed the victim at around 7:00 p.m. on November 15, 2024, when the victim returned to a Rutland, Vermont apartment. For weeks prior to the shooting, Wainscott had been using that apartment to conduct his drug business in Vermont. Wainscott worked for his supplier and childhood friend, Okorie. Johnson rented that apartment and assisted Wainscott and Okorie in the drug conspiracy. Moretti and Siliski were local drug users and dealers who also worked with Wainscott and Okorie to distribute drugs. Court records state that approximately ten days before the shooting, Wainscott was robbed at the Rutland apartment of drugs and drug proceeds at gunpoint, and pistol-whipped, by a rival drug dealer. Following the robbery, Wainscott, Okorie, and Moretti worked together to locate the dealer and others they believed had stolen Wainscott and Okorie’s drugs and drug proceeds. On November 15, 2024, believing the dealer was at and/or coming to the Rutland apartment, Wainscott worked with Okorie and Moretti to find the person. Just before 7:00 p.m., the ultimate victim, who was not the rival dealer, returned to the apartment. Multiple shots were fired from the area a few houses down, wounding and ultimately killing the victim. Law enforcement found and arrested Wainscott and Okorie later that evening. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that all the charged defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Okorie and Wainscott face a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Siliski and Moretti face a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentences, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Rutland Police Department. The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Arra and Dana Hill. Wainscott is represented by Jordana M. Levine, Esq. Okorie is represented by William A. Vasiliou, Esq. Siliski is represented by Heather E. Ross, Esq. An attorney has not yet been appointed to represent Moretti.