District of New Hampshire

CONCORD – The New Hampshire charity NuDay, a/k/a NuDay Syria, was sentenced today in federal court for export offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

NuDay was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to five years of probation, the maximum penalty for an organizational defendant.  NuDay was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.  On September 8, 2023, NuDay pleaded guilty to three counts of Failure to File Export Information.

“Our national security depends on exporters truthfully disclosing where goods are being shipped to ensure that hostile foreign actors do not get their hands on potentially dangerous items,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E Young. “This prosecution shows that willful violations of export law, even by a non-profit charity, will result in criminal consequences.”

“This charity blatantly violated U.S. export control laws when it sent over 100 shipments of humanitarian goods to Syria, a country that is a designated state sponsor of terrorism, and in many instances, lied about where those shipments were going,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case highlights the FBI’s ongoing commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to prevent the erosion of public trust in charitable organizations by ensuring that anyone who engages in criminal activity in order to evade our laws and regulations is held accountable.”

“Customs and export laws exist to protect the integrity of our systems of commerce and to protect our national security. The individuals involved with NuDay knew they were breaking the law but did so anyway, sending shipments whose contents were falsely undervalued to Syria, a country subject to export restrictions and sanctions. As today’s sentence shows, these actions have consequences,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

“Despite the availability of a limited waiver of the restrictions allowing for the export and re-export of a wide range of items necessary to provide humanitarian support to the Syrian people, NuDay devalued $8.3 million of goods to avoid reporting requirements and transshipped the items through a third country without disclosing their ultimate destination.  The end did not justify the means in this case,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tambrini of the Office of Export Enforcement’s Boston Field Office.

NuDay was founded by Nadia Alawa as a non-profit charity in 2013 and is headquartered in Windham, New Hampshire.  Alawa served as NuDay’s President, and several family members served as board members and employees.  Between 2013 and 2019, NuDay claimed significant growth of in-kind donations, starting from approximately $231,000 in 2013 and reaching almost $71 million in 2019.   By way of comparison, in 2019 OXFAM America reported approximately $73.5 million in donations, and the Syrian American Medical Society Foundation reported approximately $41.4 million in donations.

Between 2018 and 2021, NuDay made over 100 shipments to Syria, a country that was subject to sanctions and export restrictions.  NuDay claimed that these shipments were worth over $100 million.  NuDay had the items shipped to Mersin, Turkey, where another company would transship them into Syria.  U.S. Department of Commerce regulations require exporters, such as NuDay, to report true and accurate information about the items being exported, including the shipment’s description, end user, and monetary value.  However, NuDay falsely reported that the end destination of the shipments was Turkey and not Syria, and artificially deflated the value of the goods to be below the $2,500 reporting threshold.  Alawa’s Facebook messages indicated that she and NuDay were aware of export restrictions, including the need to obtain export licenses, but ignored them. 

As a condition of the plea, Nadia Alawa and her family members have ceased involvement with NuDay.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations, and Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case. 

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CONCORD – A grand jury returned a superseding indictment against a Hampton man in connection with four fraud schemes, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Anthony M. Silva, 39, was indicted on a total of 10 counts of wire fraud, 3 counts of mail fraud, and 8 counts of aggravated identity theft.   Silva is scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord on January 8, 2024.  Previously, on March 21, 2022, Silva was indicted on 3 counts of wire fraud, 3 counts of misuse of a Social Security number, and 3 counts of aggravated identity theft. 

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Silva orchestrated four separate fraud schemes using stolen identities.  Specifically, Silva used stolen names, dates of birth, Social Security Numbers, and other identifiers to fraudulently obtain (1) unemployment insurance benefits from Vermont, (2) unemployment insurance benefits from Massachusetts, (3) American Express credit cards, and (4) CARES Act funds.  The fraudulently obtained unemployment benefits and CARES Act funds were deposited either by check or direct deposit into dozens of accounts Silva controlled at multiple banks.  Many of these accounts were in the names of individual victims or fictional organizations, with Silva listed as the trustee.  Silva obtained more than $400,000 from Vermont, over $150,000 from Massachusetts, and $600,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  Silva was also able to use the credit cards to make a variety of purchases from retailers such as Victoria’s Secret.  Silva also tried unsuccessfully to obtain additional CARES Act funding. 

The charge of wire fraud and mail fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of either $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is higher.  The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of 2 years to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed.  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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General and United States Secret Service led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and John J. Kennedy are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Dover man has been indicted in connection with sending threatening text messages to three presidential candidates, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Tyler Anderson, 30, was charged with three counts of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another. Anderson was arrested on December 9, 2023, and he made an initial appearance in federal court on December 11, 2023. On December 14, 2023, the Court released him on conditions.

According to the charging documents, Anderson sent a series of threatening text messages to three separate presidential campaigns going back to November 2023.  On November 22, 2023, Anderson threatened to “impale” and “disembowel” one candidate. On December 6, 2023, Anderson threatened a second candidate in a series of text messages, including that he would “blow” the head off of the candidate and conduct a “mass shooting.” On December 8, 2023, Anderson threatened via text message that he would “blow” the “brains out” of a third candidate and “kill everyone” who would attend a then-upcoming campaign event.

Each charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover Police Department and the Portsmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Vermont man pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to conspiring to distribute a controlled substance in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Lamar Carter, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely, cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for March 29, 2024. The defendant was indicted on August 29, 2022.

Carter was a leader of a drug distribution organization that obtained powder cocaine from New Jersey, “cooked” the cocaine to manufacture crack, and distributed the crack in and around Keene, New Hampshire. The organization had several employees who worked for Carter and conducted hand-to-hand drug transactions with customers. The group operated out of a local resident’s home, as well as several hotel rooms. During the investigation 364 grams of cocaine base and 2 handguns were seized.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 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.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Keene Police Department.

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CONCORD – A Nashua man appeared in federal court, after being indicted on firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Mikell Baez, 25, was indicted on November 15, 2023 with six counts of making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm. Baez made an initial appearance in federal court on December 19, 2023, and was released on conditions.

According to the charging document, on six separate occasions between August 3, 2021 and November 5, 2021, Mr. Baez straw purchased eight guns for someone else.  He bought the guns from federally licensed firearms dealers in Merrimack, Hudson and Amherst, New Hampshire.  Mr. Baez lied on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) form for the purchases when he said he was the actual buyer/transferee of each firearm. 

The charges provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, 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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Boston, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for conspiring to distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Victor Cuevas Romero, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely, fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2024. The defendant was originally charged on June 6, 2023.

On May 19, 2023, at law enforcement’s direction, a cooperating source called a number that law enforcement knew to be operated by a drug trafficking organization and placed an order for fentanyl. The individual who answered the phone, who was not the defendant, directed the confidential source to an address on Belmont Street in Manchester to make the drug transaction.  The confidential source went to the address, and shortly thereafter, the defendant drove there and picked up the cooperating source in his car.  Inside his car, the defendant provided the cooperating source with fentanyl in exchange for $100. 

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case.  

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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CONCORD – A Derry man pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Ralph Cardarelli, 44, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute steroids and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for April 2, 2024. Cardarelli was indicted on August 16, 2023.

During the execution of a search warrant at Cardarelli’s residence on March 23, 2023, federal investigations discovered over 4800 vials and bottles of suspected controlled substances and prescription drugs, including: Nandrolone Phenylpropionate; Trenbolone Acetate; Dromostanolone Propionate; Boldenone Undecylenate; Testosterone Propionate; Trenbolone Enanthate; Nandrolone Decanoate; Testosterone Enanthate; and Testosterone Cypionate.  These drugs are commonly known as steroids.  Evidence was also discovered through the search warrant that Cardarelli was importing these drugs, manufacturing, and packaging them in his residence, and dispensing the drugs without requiring a prescription.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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.

The Food & Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Maine man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to charges in connection to the online threats he made to the Portsmouth High School on April 12, 2023, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Kyle Hendrickson, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate threatening communications and one count of possessing a firearm in a school zone.  U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliot scheduled sentencing for March 15, 2024.  Hendrickson was initially arrested on a criminal complaint on April 13, 2023, and a grand jury returned the two-count indictment on September 13, 2023.

Hendrickson posted a video to his SnapChat account on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in which he brandished a handgun while in a vehicle outside of the Portsmouth High School.  The video includes a text overlay that reads “imma shoot up the school.”  School surveillance footage placed Hendrickson’s vehicle outside the high school at the time of the video. Law enforcement later recovered an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, camouflage body armor, a handgun holster, a red-dot sight, and numerous rounds of ammunition from Hendrickson’s vehicle.  The handgun that Hendrickson used in the SnapChat video was also recovered near a motel where Hendrickson had stayed in Maine on the night of April 12, 2023.  

Each charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation.  The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Somersworth Police Department, the Portland (Maine) Police Department, and the Berwick (Maine) Police Department provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

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CONCORD – A Dover man has been arrested and charged in connection with sending text messages that threatened a presidential candidate and attendees at a campaign event scheduled to take place in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Tyler Anderson, 30, was charged with transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another. Anderson will make an initial appearance in federal court in Concord today, December 11, 2023, at 2:30 p.m.

According to the charging documents, Anderson received a text message from the victim’s campaign notifying him of a political event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Anderson responded to the text message on December 8, 2023, stating: “Great, another opportunity for me to blow his brains out!” and “I’m going to kill everyone who attends and then f*** their corpses.”

The charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover and Portsmouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jarad Hodes and Matthew Hunter are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Newbury woman and Northfield woman, two former nurses, were indicted in connection to the diversion of dangerous narcotics by medical professionals, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Robin Nichols, 63, of Newbury, was indicted on one count of Tampering with Consumer Products and one count of Obtaining a Controlled Drug by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Deception, or Subterfuge.  Nichols will appear in federal court in Concord on December 8, 2023.

Lisa Richardson, 47, of Northfield, was indicted on one count of Tampering with Consumer Products and one count of Obtaining a Controlled Drug by Misrepresentation, Fraud, Deception, or Subterfuge.  Richardson will appear in federal court in Concord on December 8, 2023.

According to the charging documents related to Robin Nichols, on April 15, 2023, while working as a nurse at Catholic Medical Center, Nichols removed a quantity of fentanyl, a narcotic painkiller drug in liquid form, from a syringe intended for an operating room patient and which she knew was intended for that patient and replaced the fentanyl with a quantity of saline.

According to the charging documents related to Lisa Richardson, on December 30, 2022, while working as a nurse at Concord Hospital, Richardson entered the room of a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (“ICU”) and removed a quantity of fentanyl, a narcotic painkiller drug in liquid form, from an intravenous line bag attached to the patient and which she knew was being dispensed to that patient, and replaced the fentanyl with a quantity of saline.

Nichols and Richardson’s charges of tampering with a consumer product provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of obtaining a controlled drug by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, or subterfuge provides for a sentence of up to 4 years in prison, up to one year of supervised release 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.

The Food & Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly led these investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the cases.

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.

Law enforcement in the District of New Hampshire has utilized resources to enforce federal laws in connection to the diversion of dangerous narcotics by medical professionals. In June 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office settled a $2 million civil action with Cheshire Medical Center for their failure to fulfill obligations under the Controlled Substances Act, which enabled a nurse to steal twenty-three intravenous bags of fentanyl solution from an automatic medication dispensing machine. Also in June 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office settled a $300,000 civil action with PillPack by Amazon, a pharmacy, to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act, which risked the division of drugs that are often abused in our communities.

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CONCORD – A former Nashua man was sentenced in federal court for transporting stolen Apple products worth $2 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Guangwei “William” Wu, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to one year and one day in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine.  Wu was also ordered to pay $2 million in restitution, which he has already repaid.  On June 22, 2023, Wu pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property.

“The defendant engaged in a sophisticated fraud scheme where he accepted a bribe of significant value, diverted shipments of stolen Apple products worth approximately $2 million, and then forged a federal agent’s signature to cover his tracks. These are serious offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The Court’s imposed sentence of incarceration in federal prison and full restitution are just consequences for his bold crimes.”

“Guangwei Wu accepted a bribe, shipped $2 million worth of stolen Apple products to Hong Kong, and then lied about it. Actions like his hurt hard-working business owners trying to make an earnest living, and today’s sentence holds Mr. Wu accountable for his crimes,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service continuously seeks to identify and stop complex fraud schemes.  Guangwei Wu’s reshipping scheme of stolen Apple products resulted in millions of dollars in losses,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.  “We will continue our work with our law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of criminal activities.”

The defendant owned and operated a transshipping company in Manchester called Hai Xing Qiao.  In fall 2022, the victim company purchased Apple products, including iPads, iPhones, Apple Watches, and Macbooks, and then hired Hai Xing Qiao to forward the products onto Hong Kong.  However, Yongfu Huo, another Hong Kong-based company, paid a bribe of over $700,000 to the defendant to have the products shipped to Yongfu Huo instead.  To cover up his tracks, the defendant claimed that law enforcement had seized the Apple products and sent the victim company a false document titled “Disclaimer of Ownership” purportedly issued by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  The defendant also forged the signature of a federal agent on the document.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was indicted and arrested in connection with his possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.   

Eric Edmondson, 45, was indicted with one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon on November 15, 2023.  Edmondson appeared in federal court on November 28, 2023, and was detained.   

On September 11, 2023, Edmondson was found in possession of a privately manufactured 9mm firearm (also known as a ghost gun) and 5 rounds of commercially available ammunition after a motor vehicle stop.  As a previously convicted felon, Edmondson is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.

The charge provides for a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release 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.

The New Hampshire State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Sanbornton man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Timothy Ryan, 35, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with possession of child sexual abuse material.  U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for March 12, 2024.

According to court records and statements made in court, the defendant was identified as a top offender in the state of New Hampshire for supplying CSAM through the peer-to-peer network BitTorrent.  Investigators traced the illicit internet activity to his residence, and later obtained a federal search warrant to seize and search his electronic devices.  Forensic examination of the defendant’s cell phone revealed the presence of approximately 2,600 files of apparent CSAM.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution. 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.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New England Cyber Fraud Task Force, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Nashua Police Department, the Grafton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sanbornton Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for Hobbs Act Robbery and Bank Robbery, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Hector Rivera Ayala, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 130 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Rivera Ayala was also ordered to pay $171,677.37 in restitution. On April 18, 2023, Rivera Ayala pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and Bank Robbery.

“The defendant’s brazen and repeated criminal conduct placed the lives of numerous people in jeopardy as he robbed gas stations and a bank,” said U.S. Attorney Jane Young. “As demonstrated by the sentence of more than a decade in federal prison, people who threaten, steal and place others in physical jeopardy will be removed from society for significant periods of time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize prosecuting and incarcerating violent offenders like the defendant in order to keep our communities safe.”

“Hector Rivera Ayala went on a robbery spree in Manchester, using what appeared to be a real firearm to threaten and intimidate his victims, to steal tens of thousands of dollars. Today’s significant sentence removes this dangerous individual from our community and highlights the tenacity of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to identify and apprehend criminals like him who threaten public safety,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

“This man terrorized business owners in our city, threatening them with a weapon and putting them on edge,” said Chief Allen Aldenberg of the Manchester Police Department. “I am very pleased with Mr. Ayala’s sentence. It sends a strong message that this criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Manchester.”

In December 2019, Rivera Ayala robbed four gas stations and one bank in Manchester, including Rapid Refill on Second Street; Brother’s Express Gas Station on Union Street; Shell Gas Station on Eddy Road; Shell Gas Station on Hanover Street; and the Bank of New England on Elm Street.  Each robbery was captured on video surveillance.  For each robbery, the defendant was seen entering the gas station and bank with his face partially obscured and carrying what appeared to be a firearm. During the first robbery, at the Shell Gas Station on Eddy Road, the defendant approached the store clerk from behind and demanded money from both registers. He also ordered a customer to withdraw money from an ATM. During the second Shell Gas Station robbery, on Hanover Street, the defendant wore white face paint and used what appeared to be a double-barreled shotgun. He demanded money from the safe and registers and stole money and other items from customers who were present. One victim reported that the defendant threatened:

If you call the police within 30 minutes after I leave, I will come back and blow your brains out.

Investigators recovered a shawl and a BB gun from the crime scene of one gas station.  The defendant’s DNA was found on the shawl.  In total, the defendant stole more than $5,500 from the gas stations and more than $160,000 from the bank.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Mexican national was sentenced today in federal court for his illegal reentry into the United States after being deported twice, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Luis Aragon-Lara, 40 was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 24 months in prison and one year of supervised release. On August 16, 2023, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry.

“The defendant was using counterfeit United States currency, which impacts our local businesses and economy. Even worse, he conducted this criminal behavior after having been removed from this country repeatedly,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.  “Today’s sentence sends a deterrent message that this office will vigorously prosecute individuals that are in the United States illegally and committing crimes in New Hampshire.”  

“Those who seek to exploit our immigration law and engage in fraudulent financial crimes will not be allowed to use our immigration system to victimize the residents of New Hampshire,” said Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Boston. “We applaud the commitment of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire in prosecuting this case. Together with the great teamwork of our law enforcement partners at the Office of the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire and the Keene Police Department we remain committed to protecting communities in New Hampshire from criminal immigration violators.”

On October 26, 2022, the Keene Police Department arrested the defendant in connection with the passing of counterfeit currency at retail stores in the area. A subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant was again illegally in the United States, after having been deported on or about June 9, 2009, and April 3, 2020.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Keene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Derry man pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to passport fraud and wire fraud in connection with hacking a telecommunications company, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young and Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual announce.

Andrew Mahn, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of passport fraud and one count of wire fraud.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2024. Mahn was charged with passport fraud by indictment in the District of New Hampshire on February 15, 2023.  Mahn was charged with hacking a telecommunications company by complaint in the Northern District of Illinois on March 17, 2021, and by indictment on October 4, 2021.

Mahn previously worked as a radio technician for a telecommunications company based in Chicago.  He later worked for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport).  While working for Massport, Mahn sent spear-phishing emails to several employees at his former employer and tricked them into entering their login credentials into a fake website.  The defendant also sent text messages to the employees and deceived them into providing him their multi-factor authentication code.  Eventually, Mahn was able to get access to the telecommunications company’s servers.  He used anonymous Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, an account tied to his Massport email address, and bitcoin to help facilitate the hack. 

While on release pending trial for hacking the telecommunications company, Mahn applied for a passport in a false name in Atkinson, New Hampshire.  He provided false documents, including a falsely generated New Hampshire birth certificate and state identification card.  Mahn wrote to a congressional office seeking to expedite the passport, stating the following:

I have just found out I need to book international travel shortly for family reasons in the coming weeks to Germany.  I am trying to figure out the status of the application and when I can expect it to be processed and shipped.

The charge of wire fraud provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, and restitution.  The charge of passport fraud provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

The U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and John J. Kennedy from the District of New Hampshire and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Bond from the Northern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Lebanon man was sentenced in federal court today for possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely, heroin and fentanyl, as well as two firearms charges, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Marshall Dimick, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 78 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On July 17, 2023, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. 

“The defendant was prohibited from having firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon, yet he continued to carry a loaded gun while also in possession of dangerous drugs he intended to traffic into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “New Hampshire law enforcement is committed to pursuing and incarcerating individuals like the defendant that use gun violence to distribute drugs.”

"ATF will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts to vigorously combat drug traffickers and the threat they pose to the citizens of New Hampshire by illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of their illegal drug trade,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.

On July 9, 2020, an officer of the Lebanon Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by the defendant.  A search of the vehicle revealed a handgun in the center console with a loaded magazine, 540 small bags containing 10 grams of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, over $2,000 in cash, and a cell phone.  The phone contained texts of drug activity between the defendant and others, as well as a conversation between the defendant and his mother referencing the gun in the car. 

The Lebanon Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.

CONCORD – Two Manchester residents have been indicted for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine in their home and possessing the necessary chemicals and equipment to do so, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Charles Winchell and Catherine Quinn, both 42 years old, were charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine in a place where a person under the age of 18 was residing or was present, and possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials to manufacture methamphetamine.  Winchell and Quinn were previously charged by complaint and arrested on September 18, 2023. They were released on conditions.  

According to the charging documents, in 2023 Quinn and Winchell frequently purchased pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter medication and the primary ingredient used for the manufacturing of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant at their residence and found pseudoephedrine and other ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, such as lighter fluid, drain cleaner, and batteries, which contain lithium strips used to create a chemical reaction. 

The charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000.  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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department are leading the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske is prosecuting the case.

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.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was arrested for distributing fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Thomas Holland, 37, was indicted on three counts of distribution of fentanyl.  Holland was arrested this afternoon in Manchester.  He will make an initial appearance in federal court in Concord tomorrow.  

The charge of drug distribution provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least a three-year term of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. 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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is leading the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department and the Nashua Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to producing visual depictions of four different minor survivors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Chad Lawlor, 48 pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for February 29, 2024.  Lawlor was charged on October 12, 2021.

Lawlor was identified during an online undercover investigation as being the administrator of an online chat group that was devoted to the exchange of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).  Lawlor used the chat group to both send and receive images of CSAM with other users.  Lawlor is a registered sex offender based on a 2005 Massachusetts conviction for indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

In April 2021, federal agents seized and examined two cell phones belonging to Lawlor, one of which contained numerous videos Lawlor created while engaged in online video chats with minors.  During the chats, Lawlor directed the minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct while livestreaming the video feed.  Lawlor used the screen recording function of his cell phone to create videos of the minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct from the livestream video chats.  Lawlor pled guilty to charges relating to four identified minor survivors ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and other monetary assessments, including restitution. 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.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.  

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possessing with intent to distribute a kilogram of cocaine in New Hampshire, First Assistant Jay McCormack announces.

Michael Francis, 36, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for February 20, 2024. The defendant was charged by superseding indictment on December 13, 2021.

On September 1, 2021, law enforcement conducted a search of the defendant’s vehicle and found a gift bag containing a brick of cocaine that weighed 1000.5 grams and $10,000 in cash.  The defendant intended to distribute the cocaine for profit.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no less than 5 years and no greater than 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of no greater than $5,000,000. 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande, Charlie Rombeau, and Jarad Hodes prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A former Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking and firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

John Rivera, Jr., 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 96 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 14, 2023, Rivera plead guilty to unlawfully possessing fentanyl and crack cocaine with the intent to distribute and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.    

On September 16, 2021, the New Hampshire State Police, working in conjunction with the Manchester Police Department, conducted a traffic stop on Rivera’s vehicle in Manchester. During the stop, officers observed a firearm under the driver’s seat. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers found approximately 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 19.68 grams of crack cocaine, a stolen firearm, a loaded magazine, loose ammunition, drug packaging materials, and a digital scale.  Rivera was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior felony conviction.

“The defendant was a felon that had lost his right to carry firearms and ammunition, and even worse, he illegally possessed a stolen gun while also in the possession of dangerous narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to thwart efforts to distribute drugs, which often includes enforcing the laws that keep the tools of the trade, like guns, out of drug dealer’s hands.”

“I am very encouraged by this sentence,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “John Rivera, Jr represents the dangerous offenders we are targeting in Manchester. Drug sales and associated gun violence are a top priority for this agency.  I would like to commend the Manchester detectives and our law enforcement partners on their commitment to this case. The positive outcome is a testament to their hard work.”

This investigation was led by the Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis prosecuted the case.  

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was arrested for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds from the United States government and the State of New York, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Kyereem Sackey, 23, was indicted on October 25, 2023, on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud. Sackey was arrested this morning and released on conditions.

According to the charging documents, Sackey used social media to conspire with others to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.  Sackey filed unemployment insurance claims in the State of New York on behalf of a co-defendant, of which he was not entitled.  When the money was deposited into the co-defendant’s bank account, a portion of the money was sent to Sackey and another co-defendant.  The indictment alleges that Sackey and his co-defendants filed approximately $50,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.

Sackey also used a co-defendant’s information to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan using a false and fraudulent business that did not exist.  Sackey provided the bank with false documents, including fabricated tax documents.  The indictment alleges that Sackey fraudulently applied for approximately $13,000 in PPP loans.

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.  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.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A New York man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for transporting stolen goods from Home Depot and Lowe’s across state lines, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Jalil McIntyre, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  McIntyre was also ordered to pay $204,969.02 in restitution, of which $179,606.25 is payable to Lowe’s and $25,362.77 is payable to Home Depot.  On July 31, 2023, McIntyre pleaded guilty to Transportation of Stolen Goods. McIntyre’s co-defendant, Dushun Jackson, pled guilty on September 15, 2023, and is currently in federal custody. Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on December 28, 2023.

“Organized theft rings cause significant financial losses to the retail industry, which ultimately impacts consumers,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that federal law enforcement will enforce laws protecting the retail industry from organized theft, with federal felony convictions and imprisonment as a consequence.”

“Jalil McIntyre didn’t think twice about stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in high-end merchandise from home improvement retailers all over New England to pad his pockets, and today, he learned there are serious consequences for such brazen criminal conduct,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “Organized retail theft costs businesses, retailers, and consumers—and puts the public at risk—which is why the FBI and our law enforcement partners are doing everything we can to combat it.”

McIntyre and Jackson traveled to Lowe’s and Home Depots across the northeastern United States, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. They stole high-value commercial items, such as circuit breakers. They were seen on surveillance footage grabbing products off shelves, placing them into large plastic bags, and walking out of the stores.  In total, they stole $204,969.02 worth of products across 24 separate thefts.  They also attempted to steal another $46,619.07 worth of products during 11 additional unsuccessful thefts.  The stolen products were brought back to New York, where both McIntyre and Jackson lived.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office, the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in New York, the Seabrook Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Windham Police Department, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case. 

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CONCORD – A Georgia man was convicted today by a federal petit jury in Concord for bank fraud conspiracy and identity theft after a five-day trial, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Lestor Aceituno, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for February 12, 2024.

“Today’s swift verdict by the jury sends a clear message to fraudsters like the defendant that these crimes will be prosecuted and will result in convictions,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. "This office and our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate those that brazenly steal and use other identities for their personal gain.”

Between June of 2016 and October of 2017, Aceituno and others used stolen identities to open accounts at banks in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Georgia.  Aceituno opened or accessed post office boxes in Massachusetts and Georgia to receive debit cards and pin numbers to access these accounts. Aceituno’s co-conspirators then deposited fraudulent checks totaling more than $119,000.  After the money was credited to the accounts, but before the bank determined the checks were false, one of Aceituno’s co-conspirators withdrew the money and gave it to another co-conspirator, the leader of the scheme.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and a mandatory consecutive 2-year sentence for aggravated identity theft. 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.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Brockton, Massachusetts Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew T. Hunter and Geoffrey W.R. Ward are prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Guatemalan man has been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) following an international manhunt, announces U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Boston Division.

Roberto Montano, a/k/a Jorge Roberto Montano Midence, a/k/a Roberto Pellegrini, a/k/a Alberto Yardi, 57, was arrested yesterday at the Miami International Airport. He will make an initial appearance in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at a later time.

Montano was charged with wire fraud by complaint in 2015 and indictment in 2021 by the District of New Hampshire. According to the charging documents, Montano is a citizen of Guatemala who managed two forestry projects in Guatemala for a New Hampshire-based investment adviser between 2007 and 2014.  Beginning in approximately late 2009, Montano’s management company, Green Millennium, embezzled the projects' funds by (1) diverting cash and concealing the diversions using altered bank and financial statements; (2) mortgaging the Projects' properties without authorization and investing the proceeds in business ventures; and (3) stealing teak forestry subsidies paid by the Guatemalan government.  Authorities believe the total loss of this fraud may be approximately $10 million. 

After Montano was alerted to an investigation into the fraud in 2014, he fled the United States for Guatemala. Eventually, he moved to Nicaragua, where he has been living for several years under an alias.  Since 2014, the FBI has been actively engaged in efforts to locate and arrest Montano and his wanted poster has now been updated to reflect his capture: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/wcc/jorge-roberto-montano-pellegrini/download.pdf. Montano is also wanted in Guatemala for an alleged embezzlement scheme.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount stolen, whichever is greater.  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.

The FBI is leading the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Republic of Guatemala, the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Panama City, Panama, the FBI Miami Field Office, Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. State Department, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua and the Embassy of Italy in Managua, Nicaragua. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces the appointment of Tiffany Scanlon as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. AUSA Scanlon will handle domestic terrorism and other violent crimes in the District of New Hampshire.

Since 2012, AUSA Tiffany Scanlon served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office in the Major Felony Unit, the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit, Gang Unit, and the District Court and Juvenile Court Units. Over the last decade, AUSA Scanlon prosecuted numerous criminal cases, including homicides, armed robberies, non-fatal shootings, firearm offenses, and aggravated assaults.

“Assistant U.S. Attorney Scanlon is a veteran violent crime prosecutor,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The District of New Hampshire is fortunate to have gained an attorney with the breadth of Tiffany’s experience in prosecuting violent crimes coupled with her outlook and tenacious approach to investigating and prosecuting complex cases.”

In May 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Hampshire was allocated two new attorney positions to address civil rights, domestic terrorism, and violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is still in the hiring process for an Assistant U.S. Attorney that will focus on Civil Rights.

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CONCORD – An Arizona company and CEO pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for distributing drugs into the interstate commerce that were not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Centera Bioscience, d/b/a Nootropics Depot, and its CEO, Paul Eftang, 38, pleaded guilty to the introduction of misbranded drugs into interstate commerce.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Talesha Saint-Marc scheduled sentencing for February 5, 2024.

Between April 2017 and December 2021, Centera Biosicence and Mr. Eftang marketed pharmaceutical drugs, including tianeptine, adrafinil, phenibut, and racetams, on Nootropicsdepot.com and online platforms like Facebook and Google.  They sold the drugs to customers across the United States.  Centera Bioscience employees and Mr. Eftang also regularly made representations about the company’s drugs through a Reddit forum dedicated to Centera Bioscience products.  As part of the plea, Centera Bioscience has agreed to forfeit $2.4 million.  Centera Bioscience has also agreed to forfeit all tianeptine, adrafinil, phenibut, and racetams seized by the FDA and Customs and Border Protection.

FDA has not approved drugs containing tianeptine, adrafinil, phenibut, and racetams for use in the United States.  Racetam drugs include piracetam, aniracetam, and coluracetam, and phenylpiracetam. 

The Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Geoffrey W.R. Ward, and FDA Special Counsel Sarah Hawkins are prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Littleton man was sentenced today in federal court for trafficking methamphetamine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Eric Briggs Jr., 33 was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 42 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Mr. Briggs pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances on June 20, 2023.

 “Federal law enforcement’s partnership with the Littleton Police Department on this case sends a strong message that there will be consequences for trafficking drugs to the North Country,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This office will continue to aggressively prosecute those trafficking dangerous drugs in all corners of the Granite State.”

“DEA stands committed to keeping highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine off the streets of New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Briggs accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

“The Littleton Police Department remains committed to working with our federal and state law enforcement partners in the ongoing effort to curb the trafficking of illicit drugs to the Town of Littleton and Northern New Hampshire," said Chief Paul Smith of the Littleton Police Department. 

On April 1, 2021, law enforcement conducted a motor vehicle stop of Mr. Briggs while he was driving in Carol, New Hampshire.  Upon a search of his vehicle, investigators located approximately 43 grams, or 1.5 ounces, of methamphetamine, which Mr. Briggs admitted he possessed.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police and the Littleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Dover man pleaded guilty in federal court to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Evan Gadarowski, 29, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an information charging one count each of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.  U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for February 2, 2024. 

Between 2018 and 2021, Gadarowski solicited, received, and disseminated sexually explicit images and videos depicting numerous minor survivors.  Gadarowski posed as a teenage girl using sexually explicit images and videos of one minor survivor and adopting them as part of a fictious online persona, a practice sometimes referred to as “catfishing.” Using this fictious persona, Gadarowski posed as a bisexual female and pursued online relationships with high-school aged girls. Gadarowski sent sexually explicit images and videos depicting one minor survivor to others and induced unsuspecting minor survivors to send him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves in return.  The investigation also revealed that Gadarowski sold collections of sexually explicit images depicting some of the minor survivors to others online.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution. 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.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.  

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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CONCORD – A Sanbornville man pleaded guilty today in federal court in connection to his role in a romance-scam money laundering scheme, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Steven Ferrill, 72, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty to an information charging one count of concealment money laundering.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 26, 2024.  

In October 2019, federal agents approached Ferrill to question him about financial transactions totaling more than $1 million involving his bank accounts.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided the defendant a “money mule” warning letter, which explicitly warned him that engaging in wire transfers on behalf of people he did not know could facilitate fraudulent schemes and expose him to criminal liability.  Despite the warning, the defendant continued to engage in transactions involving victims of romance scams. For example, in February 2020, Ferrill facilitated a wire transfer to his bank account from a victim, which he then re-routed overseas.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution.  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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.  

The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative.   If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD- 11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

More information about the Department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit its website at https://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, which can be reached at https://www.ovc.gov.

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court for trafficking cocaine through the United States Postal Service (USPS), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Bryam Toribio Frias, age 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  On June 27, 2023, Frias pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely, cocaine. 

“The United States Postal Inspection Service’s proactive work intercepting shipments of narcotics through the mail kept these drugs out of our communities,” United States Attorney Jane E. Young stated. “It is a priority of this office to prevent individuals like the defendant from using USPS as a means to traffic dangerous drugs, and today’s sentence sends a deterrent message that drug traffickers will be apprehended, prosecuted, and incarcerated.”

"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our law enforcement partners will continue to dedicate the resources necessary to keep drug traffickers out of our communities,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates our commitment to keeping these and other highly addictive drugs from destroying lives.  Combatting illicit drugs in the mail is a top priority and we will continue to prioritize our resources in areas with high levels of illicit drug activity.”

On December 15, 2021, the defendant signed for and accepted a Priority Mail package addressed to him, which contained approximately four kilograms of cocaine.  The defendant was arrested shortly after he received the package.  A later search of the defendant’s phone showed communications he sent about the package, and a search of his residence revealed additional cocaine.

The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande prosecuted the case.  

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CONCORD – A Vermont man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

Brian Woodburn, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 48 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  On May 11, 2023, Woodburn pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

“The defendant’s previous felony conviction took away his right to own a gun,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McCormack.  “Our office will continue to enforce the laws that keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who are prohibited from having them.”

“Today’s sentence makes it clear that criminals who repeatedly break the law and continue to possess illegal firearms and ammunition, will be held accountable,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Our Major Offender Task Force and our law enforcement partners are hard at work every day, sharing resources and intelligence with the goal of making our communities safer.”

Woodburn was found passed out in the driver’s seat of a car on a campground in Lancaster, New Hampshire.  He consented to a search of his car, and law enforcement recovered a 9 mm pistol, ammunition, brass knuckles, and drug paraphernalia, including substances that tested positive for suboxone, buprenorphine, and fentanyl.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lancaster Police Department led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

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CONCORD – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to the unlawful possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

Garrito (“Tony”) Fort, 39, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 25, 2024.  Fort was charged on August 1, 2022.

According to court documents, on the morning of November 1, 2021, Fort believed a man had scratched his car the night before, so he left a residence in Seabrook to confront him.  Armed with a Taurus 9 mm pistol, Fort confronted the man for approximately three minutes. During the confrontation, two witnesses tried separating Fort and the man.  One of the witnesses also told Fort to “put that gun away.”  Fort fired two shots.  The first shot seriously injured another man, and the second shot killed the man that Fort thought scratched his car.  The shooting was captured on video camera. 

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Seabrook Police Department, and New Hampshire State Police led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Charles L. Rombeau are prosecuting the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam T. Le also previously worked on this matter.

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CONCORD – An Alexandria man pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of failing to register as a sex offender in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Rex Jason Sumner, 52, pleaded guilty to failure to register as a sex offender.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2024.  Sumner was charged on July 19, 2023.

Sumner is a Tier III sex offender with a duty to register for life.  Sumner was released from prison in Oklahoma in 2018 and had been registering with Oklahoma authorities at an address in Oklahoma despite residing in New Hampshire since early 2023.  Sumner would return to Oklahoma periodically to update his registration and continued to represent to authorities that he still resided in Oklahoma.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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 Marshals Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Alexandria Police Department, the Plymouth Police Department, the Meredith Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the New England State Police Information Network, the Garvin County (OK) Sherriff’s Office, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.  

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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CONCORD – A Concord man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to the exploitation of a minor in New Jersey and possession of child sexual abuse material in Concord, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young and U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announce. 

Scott Wilkinson, age 38, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 22, 2024.  Wilkinson was charged by complaint on November 14, 2022, and indicted December 5, 2022. 

Wilkinson traveled from New Hampshire to New Jersey in April 2022, where he engaged in sexual acts with a 12-year-old child.  Wilkinson had been corresponding with the child online for approximately one year prior to traveling to New Jersey to meet the child.  A video that Wilkinson created of himself engaged in sexual acts with the child was found on his cell phone in Concord, as were other images and videos of child sexual abuse material. 

 Wilkinson faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution.  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.   

 The Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland from the District of New Hampshire and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Harteis from the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.   

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

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CONCORD – A Keene man pleaded guilty in federal court to threatening to kill a member of Congress, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Allan Poller, 24, pleaded guilty to transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 18, 2024.  Poller was arrested on April 3, 2023.   

On March 29, 2023, Poller called the Washington, D.C. office of a member of the United States House of Representatives and left a voicemail message stating the following:

Hi, my name is Allan Poller, A-L-L-A-N P-O-L-L-E-R, phone number []

8931. And I just want to let you know, Representative [Name], if you keep on

coming for the gays, we’re gonna strike back and I guarantee you, you do not want

to f**k with us. We will kill you if that’s what it takes. I will take a bullet to your

f**king head if you fuck with my rights anymore. And then if you want to keep

going down that path, you know who’s next.

Poller later admitted to placing the call and leaving the message.  He stated that he had been drinking and left the message after becoming angry while watching videos on the social media application TikTok.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Capitol Police led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Keene Police Department and Springfield, Vermont Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad E. Hodes and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Chen are prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Emilio Flores, 31, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On April 12, 2022, Flores pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances.

“The defendant trafficked significant quantities of cocaine in New Hampshire,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young.  “The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court reflects that dealing drugs will not be tolerated in the Granite State, and that defendants who assault other inmates will face longer sentences.”

"Today’s sentence is a reminder to those who harm our communities – your criminal activity will not be tolerated, and you will be held accountable,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

“Let this sentencing be a strong message, the Manchester Police Department does not tolerate this criminal behavior, and this agency along with our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to get these repeat offenders behind bars,” said Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg, “I am very encouraged by this outcome, and I believe it is strong proof that collaboration works.”

On September 1, 2021, Flores was arrested on an outstanding violation of state parole.  A search of his Manchester residence yielded approximately 2 kilograms of cocaine.  After pleading guilty to the drug charge in this case and awaiting sentencing, while incarcerated at the Strafford County House of Correction, Flores assaulted another inmate.  An addendum to the plea agreement increased the length of his imprisonment by 12 months to take this conduct into account.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department jointly led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the State of New Hampshire Probation and Parole Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Charles Rombeau prosecuted the case.  

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CONCORD – A Weare man was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a prohibited person, and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Brian Elliott, age 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 120 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. On June 8, 2023, Elliott pled guilty to one count of possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

“The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court on the defendant is just punishment for the egregious nature of his conduct,” U.S. Attorney Young stated. “The defendant was a convicted felon who possessed multiple firearms and ammunition, and attempted to poison our community with large amounts of fentanyl. He pointed a weapon at a police officer, and later engaged in a standoff with police officers in Manchester during his flight from his crime spree. The message from the courthouse today was clear: this dangerous conduct will not be tolerated in New Hampshire.”

On May 22, 2021, Elliott fled on foot following a vehicle stop by a Goffstown Police Department officer. Elliott drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed on the wrong side of the road prior to jumping from his moving vehicle in order to flee from the pursuing officer. During a subsequent foot chase, he pointed a gun at the officer and threatened to shoot the officer. As described in the plea agreement, Elliott dropped a backpack containing approximately 138 grams of fentanyl and over 100 rounds of various types of ammunition. A loaded firearm was also recovered from the scene the next day. On May 24, 2021, Elliott was apprehended at a Holiday Inn in Manchester, after negotiators succeeded in getting him out of his room. A subsequent search of his hotel room yielded additional fentanyl, as well as another firearm and ammunition. Elliott was a convicted felon and was thus legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Goffstown Police Department and Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Cam Le are prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
 

CONCORD – 15 defendants have been indicted in connection with a Lawrence-based drug trafficking enterprise, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Over the past day and a half, law enforcement arrested nine of these defendants on conspiracy to distribute controlled substances charges, namely fentanyl and cocaine, while two others were in state custody, serving prison sentences in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court at various times this week.

The following defendants have been indicted in connection with these charges:

1. Melvin Villar-Lugo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
2. Felix Manuel Mejia-Gonzalez, 32, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
3. Yonathan Elias Baez-Santos, 22, of Methuen, Massachusetts.  Baez-Santos is in custody.
4. Elaine Soto-Villar, 25, of Methuen, Massachusetts.  Soto-Villar is in custody, serving a Massachusetts state prison sentence for a felony drug conviction.    
5. Candido Armando Diaz-Fernandez, 30, Dedham, Massachusetts.  Diaz-Fernandez is in custody.
6. Julio Rafael Mejia-Baez, 23, of Boston, Massachusetts.  Mejia-Baez is in custody.
7. Alexander Lechappelle, 26, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
8. Aaron Loew, 44, of Litteton, New Hampshire.  Loew is in custody.
9. Benjamin Conkright, 28, of Whitefield, New Hampshire.  Conkright is in custody.
10. Johnnie Boynton, 51, of Littleton, New Hampshire.  Boynton is in custody. 
11. Anthony Monbleau, 32, of Brookline, New Hampshire.  Monbleau is in custody.
12. Erika Barlow, 32, of Nashua, New Hampshire.  Barlow is in custody. 
13. Cody Stanford, 29, of Pembroke, New Hampshire.  Stanford is in custody, serving a New Hampshire state prison sentence for a felony drug conviction.
14. Dylan Painter, 26, of Nashua, New Hampshire.  Painter is in custody.
15. Benjamin Bryant, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire.  Bryant died on September 16, 2023, three days after the indictment was issued by the Grand Jury.

According to the court documents, the alleged leader of the drug trafficking enterprise used a social media messaging application and other means to coordinate narcotic transactions with customers in New Hampshire via “runners” in Massachusetts, from October 2021 through August 2023.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than one kilogram of fentanyl.  The investigation also involved a review of pertinent text messages over the social media account managed by the drug trafficking enterprise, which showed a total of more than 14 kilograms of fentanyl negotiated with various large-scale drug dealers in New Hampshire and a gun-for-drug trade.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.  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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Manchester District Office Group 2, led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department, the Salem Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Whitefield Police Department, the Littleton Police Department, the Methuen Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the Lawrence Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cesar Vega and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – 15 defendants have been indicted in connection with a Lawrence-based drug trafficking enterprise, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Over the past day and a half, law enforcement arrested nine of these defendants on conspiracy to distribute controlled substances charges, namely fentanyl and cocaine, while two others were in state custody, serving prison sentences in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court at various times this week.

The following defendants have been indicted in connection with these charges:

1. Melvin Villar-Lugo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
2. Felix Manuel Mejia-Gonzalez, 32, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
3. Yonathan Elias Baez-Santos, 22, of Methuen, Massachusetts.  Baez-Santos is in custody.
4. Elaine Soto-Villar, 25, of Methuen, Massachusetts.  Soto-Villar is in custody, serving a Massachusetts state prison sentence for a felony drug conviction.    
5. Candido Armando Diaz-Fernandez, 30, Dedham, Massachusetts.  Diaz-Fernandez is in custody.
6. Julio Rafael Mejia-Baez, 23, of Boston, Massachusetts.  Mejia-Baez is in custody.
7. Alexander Lechappelle, 26, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
8. Aaron Loew, 44, of Littleton, New Hampshire.  Loew is in custody.
9. Benjamin Conkright, 28, of Whitefield, New Hampshire.  Conkright is in custody.
10. Johnnie Boynton, 51, of Littleton, New Hampshire.  Boynton is in custody. 
11. Anthony Monbleau, 32, of Brookline, New Hampshire.  Monbleau is in custody.
12. Erika Barlow, 32, of Nashua, New Hampshire.  Barlow is in custody. 
13. Cody Stanford, 29, of Pembroke, New Hampshire.  Stanford is in custody, serving a New Hampshire state prison sentence for a felony drug conviction.
14. Dylan Painter, 26, of Nashua, New Hampshire.  Painter is in custody.
15. Benjamin Bryant, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire.  Bryant died on September 16, 2023, three days after the indictment was issued by the Grand Jury.                                                                                                                                                            

According to the court documents, the alleged leader of the drug trafficking enterprise used a social media messaging application and other means to coordinate narcotic transactions with customers in New Hampshire via “runners” in Massachusetts, from October 2021 through August 2023.  During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than one kilogram of fentanyl.  The investigation also involved a review of pertinent text messages over the social media account managed by the drug trafficking enterprise, which showed a total of more than 14 kilograms of fentanyl negotiated with various large-scale drug dealers in New Hampshire and a gun-for-drug trade.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.  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.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Manchester District Office Group 2, led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department, the Salem Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Whitefield Police Department, the Littleton Police Department, the Methuen Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police and the Lawrence Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cesar Vega and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – An inmate at FCI Berlin was sentenced in federal court in Concord for assaulting another inmate, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Aniel Gomez, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to an additional 30 months in prison. Gomez was also ordered to pay $1,392 in restitution to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. On June 14, 2023, Gomez pleaded guilty to assault.

“The defendant’s attack not only caused significant harm to another inmate, but it risked the safety of the entire community including the prison’s staff,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The U.S. Department of Justice considers the custody and care of federal inmates to be a serious responsibility and we will continue to support our partners at the Federal Bureau of Prisons to accomplish this mission.”

“Today’s sentence makes it clear that prison is not a place to continue committing crimes,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Aniel Gomez brutally beat a fellow inmate and will now spend more time behind bars for jeopardizing that inmate’s safety and the safety of the prison’s staff. This case demonstrates how the FBI will not hesitate to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that anyone who engages in violence will be brought to justice.”

On December 19, 2022, Gomez beat another inmate with a homemade weapon consisting of two padlocks strapped together.  Prison video footage showed Gomez waiting for the victim.  After the victim exited a shower, Gomez followed him and beat him with the homemade weapon. As a result, the victim suffered head trauma including the loss of teeth and lacerations above the right eyebrow and back of the head.

At the time of the assault, Gomez was serving a 365-month imprisonment for conspiracy to maintain a residence for manufacturing and distributing marijuana, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 100 or more marijuana plants.  Gomez’s sentence will be consecutive to his current sentence.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and FCI-Berlin Special Investigative Services led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter prosecuted the case. 

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CONCORD – Ian Freeman was sentenced today in federal court for laundering over ten million dollars in proceeds from romance scams and other internet fraud, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Ian Freeman, 43, of Keene was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 96 months in prison, 2 years of supervised release, and a fine of $40,000. Freeman was ordered to pay restitution to victims in an amount to be determined on a later date. Freeman was convicted by a federal jury on December 22, 2022.

“The defendant’s criminal conduct devastated many vulnerable people,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Dozens of victims were identified during the investigation. Many of them lost their life’s savings by way of Freeman’s bitcoin money laundering scheme. The Court recognized that an important part of this sentence was for the defendant to provide restitution to the victims. In financial crimes cases such as this, providing restitution to victims is one of the highest priorities of the U.S. Department of Justice and this Office.”

“Ian Freeman catered to fraudsters. He played a shell game with other people’s hard-earned money, turned a blind eye to the scam artists who were ripping them off, and walked away with millions, depriving their victims of their life’s savings. Today’s sentence is a significant step toward justice for the dozens of victims all over the country who have suffered significant financial losses and heartbreak as a result of this man’s criminal conduct,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “In addition to our efforts to disrupt outrageous schemes like this one, we must also work to raise public awareness to prevent them.  Last year, New Hampshire residents reported losing almost $33 million due to internet-related crimes. So we caution everyone to be wary of people you meet online - especially when it comes to cryptocurrency.”

“Ian Freeman’s sentencing shows that IRS Criminal Investigation is working vigorously to stop internet fraudsters like Ian Freeman,” said Harry T. Chavis Jr, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office. “Not only did Freeman launder millions of dollars, but he also provided a conduit for other scammers to leave countless victims destitute in their wake. The role of IRS Criminal Investigation becomes even more important in internet fraud cases due to the complex financial transactions that can take time to unravel so that fraudsters like Ian Freeman can be brought to justice.”

Freeman laundered over ten million dollars in proceeds of romance scams and other internet frauds by exchanging U.S. dollars for bitcoin. By failing to register his business with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as required by law, disabling “know your customer” features on his bitcoin kiosks, and ensuring that bitcoin customers did not tell him what they did with their bitcoin, among other things, Freeman created a business that catered to fraudsters. By charging exorbitant fees, Freeman made more than a million dollars.

Records and exhibits in the 10-day trial proved that as part of the conspiracy, Freeman and his co-conspirators opened and operated accounts at financial institutions in the names of various churches including the Shire Free Church, the Church of the Invisible Hand, the Crypto Church of New Hampshire, and the NH Peace Church. Freeman instructed bitcoin customers, who were often victims of scams, to lie to the financial institutions and describe their deposits as church donations. From 2016 to 2019, he paid no taxes, and concealed his income from the Internal Revenue Service.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. The National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and the Department of Justice, Tax Division, provided valuable assistance in the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. MacDonald, John Kennedy, and Seth R. Aframe.                      

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CONCORD – A Rochester man was sentenced today in federal court for sexually exploiting a minor, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Richard Crispin, 26, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release.  Crispin plead guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor on June 15, 2023

“Sexually exploiting children is a particularly heinous crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Thanks to the survivor’s courage, the defendant will no longer be able to abuse other vulnerable minors.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to prevent the production of child sexual abuse material and ensure that those who produce such material are prosecuted and sentenced to long periods of incarceration.” 

“Crispin abused and exploited a minor for years, creating videos documenting his abuse and soliciting her to send him even more. It takes real bravery to come forward to report an abuser, and HSI commends this survivor for speaking up. Today’s sentence ensures Crispin will be behind bars and unable do harm for a long time,” said Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

According to documents and statements made in Court, the defendant engaged in sexual acts with a minor beginning when the minor was fourteen years old.  The defendant made videos depicting some of these sexual acts, which are the subject of the federal charges.  The defendant also requested that the survivor send him sexually explicit images via text message.  The offense took place over an extended period of time and came to light when the survivor disclosed her contacts with the defendant to a school resource officer.  The defendant has pending state charges in both New Hampshire and Maine related to the same survivor. 

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Somersworth Police Department, Stratford County Sheriffs Office, Rochester Police Department and North Berwick, Maine Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cam Le and Kasey Weiland prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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CONCORD – The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $736,842 to improve the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal records in the District of New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Specifically, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office has received the FY2023 National Criminal History Improvement Program Supplemental Funding to support the New Hampshire State Police’s (NHSP) efforts to:

1)    Increase the functionality, speed and dissemination of shared criminal justice records and information among law enforcement partners.

2)    Enhance the state’s records systems to include data for boat information, such as New Hampshire Marine Patrol vessel stops, search capabilities, and the creation and printing of Marine Patrol e-Tickets. 

3)    Fund equipment purchases for 10 New Hampshire law enforcement agencies to connect to the State Message Platform, which is a telecommunication service operated by the NHSP.

“Today’s grant award supports the U.S. Department of Justice’s mission to reduce violent crime by further connecting law enforcement partners to vital criminal justice intelligence and capabilities that will aid in critical public safety services,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to support information sharing between federal, state, and local agencies.” 

The FY2023 National Criminal History Improvement Program Supplemental Funding aims to further the U.S. Department of Justice’s mission to reduce violent crime and address gun violence by improving the accuracy, utility, and interstate accessibility of criminal-history and related records in support of national record systems and their use for name- and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks.

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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CONCORD – Two Manchester residents have been charged for conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and possessing the necessary chemicals and equipment to do so within their home, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Charles Winchell and Catherine Quinn, both 42 years old, were charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of equipment, chemicals, products, and materials to manufacture methamphetamine.  Winchell will make an initial appearance in federal court in Concord today at 2:30 p.m., and Quinn will appear at 3:00 p.m.

According to the charging documents, Quinn and Winchell purchased pseudoephedrine, an over-the-counter medication and the primary ingredient used for the manufacturing of methamphetamine, dozens of times over the past few months.  Most recently, Winchell purchased pseudoephedrine yesterday.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant at their residence this morning and found pseudoephedrine and other ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, such as lighter fluid, drain cleaner, and batteries, which contain lithium strips used to create a chemical reaction. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department are investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – A previously removed Colombian national pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to his illegal reentry into the United States after being deported in 2013, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Jheisson Rizo Suarez, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of reentry after deportation.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 4, 2024.  Suarez was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 21, 2023.

On July 9, 2021, the defendant was arrested by the Dover Police Department in connection with a residential burglary in progress. A juvenile female, who was home alone and hiding under a bed, called 911 and whispered that an unknown number of individuals had forced entry into her home.  The subsequent investigation revealed that the defendant was illegally in the United States, after having been previously deported on or about January 28, 2013.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

The Dover Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement led the investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward.

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CONCORD – A doctor practicing in the north country of New Hampshire was indicted in connection with his unlawful distribution of opioids and benzodiazepines, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

Robert G. Soucy Jr., D.O., 70, of Columbia, New Hampshire, was indicted on 12 counts of distribution of controlled substances. Soucy made his initial appearance in federal court today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Dr. Soucy allegedly distributed fentanyl, oxycodone, hydromorphone, methadone, lorazepam, and diazepam to individuals outside the usual course of professional practice, and without a legitimate medical purpose.  He recently surrendered his Drug Enforcement Administration registration and also did not renew his medical license, and, therefore, is no longer permitted to prescribe controlled substances.

If convicted, Dr. Soucy faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

The New England Prescription Opioid (NEPO) Strike Force led the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward of the District of New Hampshire’s United States Attorney’s Office and Trial Attorney Patrick J. Queenan of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Fraud Section.

The NEPO Strike Force is a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for three federal districts, as well as law enforcement partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI. The mission of the NEPO Strike Force is to identify and investigate health care fraud schemes in the New England region, and to effectively and efficiently prosecute individuals involved in the illegal distribution of prescription opioids and other prescribed controlled substances. The NEPO Strike Force primarily targets criminal conduct by physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals, focusing upon both health care fraud and drug diversion offenses, as relevant based upon the facts of the particular case.

Medications obtained illicitly are very dangerous as they are often not what they appear, and frequently contain contaminants and extremely potent substances such as fentanyl that greatly increase the risk of overdose and death.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – Kyle Hendrickson, 25, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Concord for threatening the Portsmouth High School on SnapChat, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Hendrickson was charged with one count of interstate threatening communications and one count of possessing a firearm in a school zone.  He was previously arrested on a criminal complaint.

According to the charging documents, Hendrickson posted a video to his SnapChat account on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in which he brandished a handgun while in a vehicle outside of the Portsmouth High School.  The video includes a text overlay that reads “imma shoot up the school.”  School surveillance footage placed Hendrickson’s vehicle outside the high school at the time of the video. Law enforcement recovered an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, camouflage body armor, a handgun holster, a red-dot sight, and numerous rounds of ammunition from Hendrickson’s vehicle. A handgun that resembles the one used in the SnapChat video was also recovered near a motel where Hendrickson had stayed on April 12, 2023.  

Each charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, 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.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation.  The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Somersworth Police Department, the Portland (Maine) Police Department, and the Berwick (Maine) Police Department provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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CONCORD – An Antrim man was indicted in connection to fraudulently receiving veteran disability benefits, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.   

Christopher Stultz, 49, was indicted on one count of making False Statements to the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Stultz will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging documents, between January 2003 and December 2022, Stultz falsely represented to the Department of Veterans Affairs that he was unable to use both his feet, thus obtaining veteran disability benefits that he was not entitled to for almost two decades.

The charge of False Statements provides for a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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