District of New Hampshire

            CONCORD - David Nguyen, 37, of Manchester, was sentenced on Tuesday to 60 months in federal prison for distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 1, 2018, a cooperating individual, at the direction of law enforcement officers, arranged to buy fentanyl at Nguyen’s apartment.  The cooperating individual later went to Nguyen’s apartment and purchased a quantity of fentanyl. 

            On December 4, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Nguyen’s apartment, where they located two scales with drug residue.

           Nguyen previously pleaded guilty on September 10, 2019.

            “The distribution of fentanyl has caused great hardship in Manchester and throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This five-year prison term should serve as warning to fentanyl dealers operating in the Queen City.  Under Operation SOS, we will continue to work closely with the Manchester Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout Hillsborough County to bring drug dealers to justice.”     

            This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim Barth.

           This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.        

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          CONCORD - Joshua Simard, 31, of Auburn, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 31, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Simard at a hotel in Bedford.  Officers seized two backpacks from Simard, which contained, among other things, a handgun, ammunition, over $6,000 in cash, over 150 grams of cocaine, digital scales, and a suspected drug ledger.    

          Simard previously pleaded guilty on June 12, 2019.  

          “Possessing or using a gun during a drug deal is a guaranteed ticket to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Armed drug dealers present a substantial threat to the safety of our communities.  In order to maintain public safety, we will aggressively prosecute drug dealers who carry firearms.”

          “As we all know, drug trafficking, along with the gun and physical violence that often accompanies it, ravages the very foundations of our families and communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Simard accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to bring to justice anyone who engages in these crimes.

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bedford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.          

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            CONCORD – Derek Rand, 31, of Rochester, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between late 2017 and December 18, 2018, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New Hampshire State Police conducted an investigation of drug trafficking by Rand, who used runners to obtain fentanyl in Massachusetts and bring it to New Hampshire for distribution.  During the investigation, over one kilogram of fentanyl was seized from members of Rand’s drug trafficking organization.

            Rand previously pleaded guilty on August 29, 2019.

            “Despite its deadly impact on our citizens, greedy drug traffickers continue to seek profit from the sale of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not tolerate fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire.  To fight this menace, we work closely each day with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and incarcerate those who are responsible for bringing this deadly substance into the Granite State.”

          “Fentanyl distribution is destroying people’s lives and wreaking havoc in our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “DEA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice individuals like Mr. Rand that distribute this poison.”

            This matter was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the New Hampshire State Police and the Dover, New Hampshire Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Davis. 

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            CONCORD - Shariff Britton, 36, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing over 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 15, 2018, a New Hampshire State Police trooper patrolling I-95 stopped Britton for driving violations.  During a later consensual search, the trooper located a backpack containing 1015 grams of cocaine.  Britton was placed under arrest.  After his arrest, Britton admitted that he was transporting the cocaine from New Jersey to Maine.

            Britton previously pleaded guilty on September 5, 2019.

            “Interstate drug traffickers are causing substantial damage to communities throughout Northern New England,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Thanks to good police work, this drug trafficker is behind bars.  This five-year prison term should serve as a warning to those who seek to profit from this dangerous trade. We will continue to work closely with our partners at New Hampshire State Police to identify and prosecute the drug traffickers who are bringing dangerous drugs into New Hampshire and Maine.”

            This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.      

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            CONCORD - Justin McInnes, 30, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing firearms, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing drugs with the intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 6, 2018, officers from the Manchester Police Department arrested McInnes, who possessed 20 grams of cocaine, over 9 grams of crack cocaine, a Mossberg 12 Gauge Shotgun, a Taurus .380 caliber revolver, a Kel-Tec 9mm pistol, and counterfeit currency. McInnes is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of prior felony convictions and possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them.

            McInnes is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, 2020.

            “Armed drug traffickers are a menace to everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the people of New Hampshire from violent crime, we will be aggressive in our efforts to identify and prosecute drug traffickers and felons who unlawfully possess guns.  I am grateful to  the law enforcement officers in this case for bringing this defendant to justice.”

            “We are very pleased with the outcome of this case,” said Manchester Police Chief Carlo Capano.  “We are always looking out for the best interest of our community.  Justin McInnis placed our community and our officers in danger and we will not tolerate his violent behavior.” 

            This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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            CONCORD – Three men, Syed Hoque, 24, of Brooklyn, New York, Tharushan Nirmalachandran, 30, of Ile-Bizard, Quebec, and Aijtharan Raveendran, 29, of Toronto, Ontario,   have pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in April 2019, Hoque, Nirmalachandran, and Raveendran, conspired with others to withdraw money from other persons’ bank accounts by using cloned debit cards at ATMs.  A “cloned” debit card is a gift card or other type of card that has been re-encoded to contain other persons’ debit card information.  Blank credit and debit or gift cards can be encoded with stolen credit and debit card information using an “MSR” or “Magnetic Stripe Reader” machine.  An MSR machine can read and write the information stored in the magnetic stripe on the back of credit and debit cards. 

            On Friday, April 26, 2019, a witness reported to the Hudson Police Department that a man later identified as Hoque drove his car through an ATM in Hudson, New Hampshire, several times to make withdrawals.  The Hudson Police responded and found Hoque in his car at the ATM. The officer saw that Hoque was holding a cell phone that was displaying several sets of numbers on the screen and saw a large amount of cash on the front passenger seat of his car and several ATM or credit cards on the center console. 

            A search of Hoque’s phone revealed text messages in an application called “WhatsApp” from the weekend of April 24 through 26, 2019.  One group message chain from April 26, 2019, showed members of the conspiracy coordinating their activities as they withdrew money from  ATMs with the cloned debit cards.

            The trio was operating out of a hotel room in Methuen, Massachusetts.  Hotel surveillance video showed that, early in the morning on April 27, 2019, Nirmalachandran and Raveendran carried large duffle bags out of their hotel room.  Investigators later found duffle bags during a search of Nirmalachandran’s car that contained (i) a portable MSR machine; (ii) 103 Visa, American Express, and MasterCard gift cards, 96 of which contained cloned debit card information; (iii) $51,610 United States currency; and (iv) a Hewlett Packard laptop computer.  A later search of the computer revealed text files that contained over 170 debit card numbers.

            In total, from April 25, 2019, through April 27, 2019, members of the conspiracy successfully withdrew at least $43,980.00 and attempted to withdraw an additional $69,900.00 from other people’s bank accounts using cloned debit cards. 

            Hoque pleaded guilty today and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 1, 2020.

            Nirmalachandran pleaded guilty on November 4, 2019 and will be sentenced on February 14, 2020.

            Raveendran pleaded guilty on November 14, 2019 and will be sentenced on February 28, 2020.

            “Fraudsters like these defendants cause serious damage by stealing money from their victim’s bank accounts,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “They also drive up business costs and undermine confidence in our banking system. In order to protect the citizens of New Hampshire, we will not hesitate to file federal charges against those who attempt to steal hard-earned money from innocent victims.  I am grateful to the law enforcement officers whose hard work led to this successful prosecution.”

                “The United States Secret Service is committed to investigating financial crimes including the unauthorized use of debit cards,” said Timothy Benitez, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Manchester Resident Office.  “The success of this investigation is a result of the cooperation between federal and local law enforcement partners.”

            This matter was investigated by the United States Secret Service, with assistance from the Hudson and Methuen Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter.              

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante found Imran Alrai, 45, of Windham, New Hampshire, guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and transportation of stolen funds after a ten-day bench trial.

            According to the trial evidence, Alrai was an information technology (“IT”) professional at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley in Boston, Massachusetts.  Between 2012 and June 2018, Alrai obtained approximately $6.7 million in payments for IT services supposedly provided to United Way by an independent outside contractor, Digitalnet Technology Solutions, Inc.  Evidence at trial show that Alrai misrepresented material facts about Digitalnet and fraudulently concealed that he owned and controlled Digitalnet.    In early 2013, Alrai rigged the bidding process for a major contract to provide managed IT services at the United Way so that Digitalnet was chosen. Alrai then gave fake references and false information about Digitalnet to United Way.

            For the next five years, while serving as United Way’s Vice President for IT Services, Alrai steered additional IT work to Digitalnet, so that his company soon became UW’s second-largest outside vendor, receiving more than $1 million annually.  Alrai concealed from his colleagues that he had anything to do with Digitalnet.  He routinely sent emails with attached invoices from a fictitious person to himself at United Way. After the fraud came to light, in June 2018, officials at United Way confronted Alrai and terminated him.  Federal agents executed search and seizure warrants and seized incriminating documents and data from Alrai’s home office in Windham, as well as approximately $2.2 million in fraud proceeds in bank and investment accounts.  During the scheme, Alrai wired $1.2 million in fraud proceeds to a Digitalnet bank account in Lahore, Pakistan. 

            According to expert testimony at the trial, United Way lost at least $3.1 million as a result of Alrai’s crimes due to Digitalnet’s excessive billing, duplicate billing, and billing for services not delivered.  The same expert calculated that Alrai personally enriched himself in the amount of $3.7 million.  The evidence further showed that in 2013-14 Alrai perpetrated a similar scheme at the Robert Allen Group in Foxboro, Massachusetts, where Alrai was CIO, and induced that company to pay Digitalnet more than $400,000.  The total amount involved in the scheme was approximately $7 million. 

            Judge Laplante convicted Alrai on 18 counts of wire fraud, 14 counts of money laundering, and 12 counts of transporting stolen funds.  The court acquitted Alrai on six counts of money laundering, one count of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of failing to file Foreign Bank Account Reports with the IRS. The court also ordered forfeiture in an amount to be determined.  The court previously ordered that Alrai repatriate funds he wired to Pakistan.       

            Alrai will be detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for March 21, 2020.

            “Those who engage in fraud should understand that their schemes will be detected and that they will be prosecuted for their illegal actions,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The defendant took advantage of trust that was placed in him in order to steal millions of dollars from a charitable organization. The defendant enriched himself at the expense of the United Way and its supporters, diverting money intended for the benefit of the less fortunate.  Such deceitful conduct cannot be tolerated.  This conviction is one step in our effort to secure justice for the victims of this scheme.”        

            "In a season when people reach out and dig deep to help the less fortunate, it is fitting that Imran Alrai be convicted of greedily stealing millions of dollars from the United Way of Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley, a charitable organization whose reason for being is to enrich the lives of others," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Mr. Alrai betrayed his position of trust as an IT executive, using lies and deceit to raid United Way's coffers to pay off his house, foot the bill for plastic surgery, and enhance his personal wealth. We are thankful for the verdicts and the assistance of our law enforcement partners, all of which affirm our belief that financial fraud is never a victimless crime."

            “As Vice President for IT Services with the United Way, Alrai abused his position of trust with this great charitable organization to steal millions,” said Jason J. Molina, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Boston. “His wire fraud and money laundering crimes are even more offensive when you consider that the millions of dollars he stole was money which was meant to be used to provide education, medical care and occupational training opportunities to countless children and adults.”         

            This matter was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis, Cam Le, and Matthew Hunter.

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            CONCORD - Alexander A. Tsiros, 37, of Farmington, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 7, 2018, the Milton Police Department received a call from an individual who reported that Tsiros was in possession of a black handgun. Tsiros is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

            Tsiros was later arrested in Dover for violating a protective order.  During the stop, police officers noticed a backpack on the front seat of his vehicle.  The Farmington Police Department executed a search warrant of the vehicle and found a Hi-Point C9, nine millimeter pistol, a black nylon holster, and ammunition.  Police also recovered a bag of crystal methamphetamine, packaging material, and drug paraphernalia. 

            Tsiros previously pleaded guilty on July 3, 2019.        

            “Guns and drugs are a potentially deadly combination,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Armed drug dealers present a serious threat to the safety of the citizens of New Hampshire.  To counter that threat, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the armed drug dealers are endangering public safety in the Granite State.”

            “ATF will continue to work with our state and local law enforcement counterparts to vigorously combat drug traffickers and the threat they pose to our citizens by illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of their illegal drug trade," said Kelly D. Brady Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division. 

            This matter was investigated by the Farmington Police Department, Milton Police Department, Dover Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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            CONCORD, N.H. - Leah M. Stevens, 32, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

           According to court documents and statements made in court on September 10, 2018, a cooperating individual gave information to law enforcement officers that Stevens had traveled to Lawrence, Massachusetts to pick up drugs.  Law enforcement officers conducted a motor vehicle stop as Stevens was returning to Rochester from Lawrence. During the stop, Stevens admitted that she had a number of “sticks” of narcotics in her possession and officers found approximately 288 grams of fentanyl.

            On September 14, 2018, a cooperating source informed law enforcement officers that Stevens had received a new delivery of drugs at her residence, which she intended to distribute. Law enforcement officers executed another vehicle stop.  During the search of the vehicle, law officers located fentanyl and methamphetamine.     

            Stevens is scheduled to be sentenced on March 11, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl traffickers have made large quantities of this deadly drug available for purchase in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to deter this illegal trade and thereby protect our citizens, we will continue to work closely with the FBI, Epping Police Department and all of law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who bring fentanyl into our state.” 

            "The transport of dangerous drugs like fentanyl between Massachusetts and New Hampshire is no different from recklessly spreading a deadly plague, and it's a problem the FBI and our law enforcement partners on both sides of the border have fought hard to obstruct for the safety of our neighborhoods," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Leah Stevens was caught in the act of interstate drug smuggling, only to opt for home delivery days later. We’re pleased to see that today she finally accepted responsibility for her criminal conduct.”

                This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Epping Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes.

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            CONCORD - David Weekly, 23, of Concord, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 2, 2019, a Manchester police officer stopped a vehicle for not having its lights turned on.  The officer approached the vehicle and recognized Weekly from previous contacts. 

            When Weekly opened the side window, the officer noted a strong smell of freshly burnt marijuana.  The officer also noted a bulge in Weekly’s waistband and asked Weekly to step out of the vehicle.  As soon as Weekly stepped out of the vehicle, Weekly admitted that he had a gun in his waist.  The officer found a handgun and a loaded extended 31-round magazine in Weekly’s possession.  Weekly is a felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

            The firearm had been reported stolen on August 23, 2018 in Manchester.

            Weekly is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26, 2020.           

            “In order to reduce violent crime, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “To this end, federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms. In conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we will vigorously enforce this law by identifying and prosecuting criminals who use or possess firearms.”           

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M Walsh.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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          CONCORD, - Glenn Adjutant, 22, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for distribution of drugs and retaliating against a witness, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 31, 2019, Adjutant sold Suboxone to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  Later that same day, Adjutant sold Suboxone and Adderall to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officials.  Both sales occurred within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.

          Adjutant was arrested on April 9, 2019 and on approximately April 24, 2019, was released from custody with direction to report immediate to the Farnum Center.  Instead, Adjutant returned to Colebrook.  While in Colebrook, Adjutant encountered another individual calling her a “rat,” and then used physical force, striking her several times with a closed fist in her torso and head.  The attack was in retaliation for the individual providing truthful information regarding Adjutant’s distribution of Suboxone and Adderall to others.

          Adjutant previously pleaded guilty on August 23, 2019.

          “Drug trafficking has caused damage to large and small communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Drug dealers undermine public safety and we will not hesitate to seek federal prison sentences in order to deter their illegal activities. This defendant’s drug trafficking and efforts to obstruct justice have earned him a well-deserved term in federal prison.”

          This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Colebrook Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement and Licensing, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Rombeau and John S. Davis.        

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            CONCORD - Yerfinson Gomez, 28, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Gomez was identified in January 2019 as a member of a fentanyl trafficking organization based in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  On March 7, 2019, after undercover communications with Gomez’s drug supplier, Gomez met an undercover officer in Methuen, Massachusetts and sold six “fingers” (ten gram quantities) of fentanyl.  On March 14, 2019, Gomez again met an undercover officer in Methuen and sold him four fingers of fentanyl.  Finally, on March 20, 2019, in Methuen, Gomez provided another runner with over 12 fingers of fentanyl, some of which was to be used for a customer in New Hampshire.  The runner brought the drugs to Manchester and sold nine fingers to an undercover.  The runner later delivered the cash from the sale to Gomez in Methuen, and Gomez paid the runner one finger of fentanyl for making the delivery.  Agents arrested Gomez shortly afterwards as he drove away with the cash.

            Gomez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking has caused tremendous damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is of vital importance that we stop the flow of this lethal substance into our state. Accordingly, we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are responsible for its transportation and sale.”

            “While Gomez was one part of a bigger drug trafficking operation, he remains accountable for his individual actions as proven in the course of our investigation,” said Jason J. Molina, Acting Special Agent in Charge for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Homeland Security Investigations, (HSI) Boston.  “Together with our New Hampshire law enforcement partners, HSI is fighting the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl and opioid dealers like Gomez that has produced such devastating impacts in the lives of so many in our communities.”  

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s, Homeland Security Investigations, Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.          

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          CONCORD – Dustin Grant, 34, of Colebrook, was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for the distribution of Suboxone, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 14, 2019, Grant sold Suboxone to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  The sale occurred within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. 

          Grant previously pleaded guilty on July 1, 2019.  Following completion of his sentence, Grant will be on supervised release for a period of four years.

          Suboxone is a Schedule III controlled substance that is often prescribed as a treatment for opioid withdrawal symptoms.  As an opioid itself, however, it is still subject to abuse if injected or snorted and can produce a euphoria similar to other opioids like heroin and fentanyl.  

          “Drug trafficking has impacted families throughout the Granite State, including those located in rural as well as urban areas,”  said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “By trafficking in Suboxone, the defendant sold a prescription drug unlawfully and contributed to the opioid crisis that is gripping New Hampshire.  We will continue to aggressively pursue federal prosecutions of those who jeopardize public health and safety by selling opioids.”               

          This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Colebrook Police Department, the Pittsburg Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement and Licensing, the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles L. Rombeau and John S. Davis. 

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             CONCORD - Timothy Lafond, 41, of Rochester, was sentenced in federal court on Thursday, to 198 months for drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2018, Lafond made a series of fentanyl transactions with individual who were cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration.  On September 4, 2018, the DEA conducted a motor vehicle stop of Lafond and arrested him as he left his Rochester apartment.  During a search of Lafond, agents found several bags of fentanyl.  In addition, agents located a backpack belonging to Lafond that contained 1.96 kilograms of fentanyl.  Later that day, the DEA executed a search warrant at a storage unit belonging to Lafond.  In the storage unit, an officer found another 1.1 kilograms of fentanyl.

            Lafond pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on July 30, 2019.

            “Fentanyl is an incredibly deadly substance that is endangering the lives of people throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “By seizing multiple kilograms of fentanyl from this defendant, the DEA may have prevented countless overdoses and deaths. Fentanyl dealers in New Hampshire should take notice of this lengthy sentence.  Continuing to sell this lethal drug, will result in arrest and incarceration in a federal prison for a substantial portion of their lives.” 

             “Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Lafond, who are contributing to the crisis.  Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Lafond accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal partners will do everything in our power to keep this poison off the streets of New Hampshire.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Aframe and Charles Rombeau.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

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            CONCORD – Kristina Blake, 29, of Northfield, was sentenced in federal court Thursday, to 10 years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and a conspiracy to possess firearms during a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 19, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Blake and Daniel Irving in a vehicle near a convenience store in Concord, New Hampshire.  Officers seized over 50 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms from the vehicle.  In addition, drug paraphernalia, including a glass mirror, digital scale, a ledger, syringes and plastic baggies were seized.   

            Blake previously pleaded guilty on August 15, 2019.  Irving was sentenced to 96 months on October 11, 2019.

            “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug and dealers should expect to spend years in a federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Sentences are increased where firearms are involved in the drug trafficking business. In order to protect the people of New Hampshire, will continue to seek lengthy prison terms for armed drug dealers.”

            "Kristina Blake made the terrible choice to traffic in this highly addictive stimulant, the abuse of which is epidemic," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "The citizens of Concord can rest easy knowing Ms. Blake is off their streets for the decade to come, and that the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting their city from the scourge of pushers and pistols."

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Concord Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.       

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Walker Manuel Moreta, 32, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between at least January of 2017 through July of 2017, Moreta, with the assistance of others, sold quantities of fentanyl to multiple individuals, including customers from New Hampshire.  Moreta and his co-conspirators often operated out of a location on Water Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts.  As part of an investigation of Moreta, a cooperating individual purchased over 100 grams of fentanyl from Moreta between May and June of 2017.  On July 6, 2017, Moreta was arrested and had 19 grams of fentanyl on his person. 

            Evidence in the case also indicated that the drugs distributed by the defendant resulted in at least one fatal fentanyl overdose in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

            Moreta previously pleaded guilty on April 1, 2019.  He faces likely removal to the Dominican Republic after serving his sentence.

            Two co-conspirators, Miguel Arias-Velasquez and Miguel Vasquez, previously pleaded guilty.  Arias-Velasquez was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison.  Vasquez is awaiting sentencing.

            “Fentanyl is an incredibly lethal substance that has caused hundreds of deaths in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We are working every day to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the interstate fentanyl traffickers who are selling this deadly drug to the citizens of the Granite State.  Drug dealers who sell fentanyl in New Hampshire should understand that they will be caught and will spend substantial portions of their lives in federal prison.”

            “Fentanyl is causing deaths in record numbers and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Moreta accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic.” 

            This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the New Hampshire State Police, the Lawrence Police Department, with assistance from the Portsmouth Police Department, the Dover Police Department, and the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by First Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Farley.

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            CONCORD – Wagner Pimentel, 30, of Methuen, Massachusetts, and Luz Perez DeMartinez, 27, of Lawrence Massachusetts were sentenced in federal court on Tuesday for participating in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. Pimentel was sentenced to 108 months.   DeMartinez was sentenced to 132 months and a $50,000 fine.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, a drug trafficking organization, led by Sergio Martinez, sold fentanyl to customers from various New England states, including New Hampshire. On each date that Pimentel worked for the Martinez organization, he delivered 200-gram bags of fentanyl to runners who worked for the organization and collected drug proceeds from the runners once they distributed the contents of the bags.

            DeMartinez, the wife of the organization’s leader, facilitated various financial aspects of the drug business. Her primary role was to collect, count and process hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits generated by drug sales.  She also paid salaries to some of the organization’s employees and collected money to post bail for certain employees who were arrested. She wired drug proceeds out of the country.  

            Pimentel previously pleaded guilty on March 15, 2019 and DeMartinez previously pleaded guilty on February 12, 2019. After serving his sentence, Pimental faces possible removal to the Dominican Republic.           

            “The Martinez drug trafficking organization facilitated the sale of large quantities of lethal fentanyl to residents of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This was a large-scale criminal enterprise that reaped hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits and caused untold misery to its customers and their families. These sentences should serve as warning that long federal prison terms await those who choose to distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire.”        

            “DEA is committed to investigating Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Pimentel and Ms. DeMartinez who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds both accountable for their crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”

            The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the DEA; the New Hampshire State Police; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the Nashua Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office; the United States Marshals Service; the United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Manchester Police Department; the Lisbon Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Haverhill (MA) Police Department; the Methuen (MA) Police Department; the Lowell (MA) Police Department; and the Maine State Police.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky and Seth R. Aframe.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.  

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            CONCORD – Damon Austin, 37, of Somersworth, was sentenced on Tuesday to 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 14, 2018, Austin was involved in an altercation with another individual in Somersworth in which Austin threatened the individual with a firearm.  Soon after the altercation, Somersworth Police arrested Austin while he was in possession of the firearm.  Police subsequently obtained a warrant to search Austin’s residence.  A search of Austin’s residence resulted in the seizure of six additional firearms, as well as cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.  Austin, as a previously convicted felon, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.          

            Austin previously pleaded guilty on January 31, 2019.

            “In order to ensure public safety, we must keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify criminals who pose a threat to the community.  Thanks to the excellent work of the Somersworth Police Department, this convicted felon will not be able to use these seven firearms to commit acts of violence or further endanger our citizens.” 

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Somersworth Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z.  Krasinski.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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            CONCORD, - Illya Scott, 30, of Nashua, was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 months and a day in federal prison for possession of a stolen firearm, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 6, 2018, Scott was arrested in Nashua, New Hampshire.  During a search incident to arrest, Nashua police officers found a Berretta, BU PICO, .380 handgun tucked into the defendant's waistband.  Scott admitted to stealing the firearm.          

            Scott previously pleaded guilty on July 22, 2019.

            “Thefts of firearms and trading in stolen firearms undermine public safety by providing criminals with a means by which violent crimes can be committed,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the Granite State from violent crime, we will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to prosecute those who possess stolen firearms.”

            This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski.

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            CONCORD - Guillermo Garcia Esquivel, 36, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to armed robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Esquivel committed six armed robberies of convenience stores in Manchester between January 5, 2019 and February 24, 2019.  During each of the robberies, Esquivel pointed what appeared to be a black handgun at the victim cashier and demanded money.  Esquivel stole in excess of $5,000.

            Esquivel is scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2019.

            “Violent crimes jeopardize the safety of victims, the public, and the entire community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This defendant’s crime spree involved pointing a weapon at cashiers at several different convenience stores in Manchester.  This type of conduct cannot be tolerated.  We will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who use or threaten to use a gun to commit a violent crime.”        

            This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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            CONCORD - Mallory Nooks, 31, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession and distribution of cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 14, 2018, Nooks possessed 14 baggies of crack cocaine that she intended to distribute, after she had already distributed crack cocaine to another individual.  She also possessed a Ruger LCR 38 Special, .38 caliber pistol, loaded with five rounds of ammunition in her purse. 

            Nooks is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2019.

            “Drug traffickers endanger the lives and safety of their customers as well as the general public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The threat is compounded when the drug dealer is armed with a firearm. In order to maintain the safety of our citizens, we will not hesitate to pursue federal charges against drug dealers who possess or use firearms.”

            "Every day, law enforcement sees the lives destroyed and families torn apart by the worst drug crisis in our country's history. All Mallory Nooks saw was a chance to make a buck," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "The FBI has said more often than we'd like that drugs threaten fatal consequences for all who cross their path. It is a good day for law enforcement when one less armed trafficker is free to capitalize on our communities.”

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nashua Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana Konesky and Anna Krasinski.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations. 

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           CONCORD - Dagoberto Duarte, 22, of Dorchester, Massachusetts pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to transportation of a minor for the purpose of sexual activity, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2018, the Londonderry Police Department was informed that a 13-year-old female was missing.  Officers responded to her residence to investigate.  During the investigation, the Londonderry officers were told that the minor female had been communicating with a man online and that they had made plans to meet.   

            The mother of the minor female received a call from Duarte telling her that he had taken her daughter to Boston.  A law enforcement officer spoke with Duarte who said the minor female had been dropped off at a bus station.  Boston police officers were notified and officers were able to locate the minor female.

            On July 3, 2018, Duarte was arrested by police officers in Boston.  Duarte later admitted that he had picked up the minor female in New Hampshire and driven her to Massachusetts, where they engaged in sexual activity.

            Duarte is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2020.  A native of Honduras, Duarte faces likely removal from the United States as a result of this conviction.

            “The internet has made it possible for predators to target children in their own homes,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Protecting young people against this type of victimization is a top priority for law enforcement. When predators seek to take advantage of innocent children, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against them.  I commend the work of the law enforcement officers in this case for their quick response to this situation and their efforts to bring this predator to justice.”

            “It is incomprehensible that anyone would seek to take advantage of a child’s vulnerability like Duarte has done in this case,” said Jason J. Molina, acting special agent in charge for HSI Boston.  “HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to arresting anyone who preys on the innocence of a child and those predators will face justice for their abhorrent criminal acts.”

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Londonderry Police Department, and the Boston Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana Konesky.

            In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.   

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          CONCORD - Matthew Oliver, 38, formerly of Everett, Massachusetts, was found guilty of two counts of mailing threatening communications, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

          According to court documents and statements made during a jury trial yesterday, Oliver mailed the threatening communications while incarcerated at the Onondaga County Justice Center in Syracuse, New York in 2017.  In January of 2017, Oliver mailed a letter to a home in New Hampshire that contained a threat to injure the woman who lived in the home.  While still incarcerated at the facility in April of 2017, the defendant mailed another letter to the home that contained a threat to assault the woman’s daughter.

          Oliver is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27, 2020.

          “The verdicts in this case are supported by evidence of horrible threats of violence the defendant directed to two innocent women,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This type of activity must be deterred and I am grateful to the law enforcement agencies who investigated this case for their diligent efforts to bring the defendant to justice.  We take threats of violence very seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute those who use threats of violence to frighten citizens of the Granite State.”

          "There are healthy, lawful avenues for coping with grudges, bitterness and misplaced blame. Terrorizing an innocent family with unsolicited mail espousing the occult, while threatening unspeakable acts of violent retribution, is not one of them," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Threatening letters, whether mailed from prison or a neighborhood post office, will be met with a coordinated response that will ensure people like Matthew Oliver are held accountable for their hateful words."

          The Seabrook New Hampshire Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

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          CONCORD - Jacqueline Masse, 49, of Hampton, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to participating in a mail fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in letters mailed to restaurants and food companies Masse falsely claimed that she (or another member of her family) became seriously ill after eating food served by the restaurants or packaged by the food companies. In other letters also mailed to restaurants and food companies, Masse assumed the identity of other members of her family and falsely claimed that the family member became seriously ill after eating food served by the restaurants or packaged by the food companies.

         In each of the 12 letters, Masse falsely claimed that the letter’s writer had paid or borrowed money to pay hospital bills and other medical expenses incurred to treat an illness because they did not have personal health insurance.  Each letter included a demand that the affected restaurant or food company reimburse the writer for medical expenses and provide financial compensation for pain and suffering.

         According to the court documents and statements made in court, to support each demand letter, Masse provided fraudulent medical records allegedly obtained from hospitals in New Hampshire and Massachusetts as false evidence of the fictitious illnesses.  She used fraudulent bank account and credit card statements as false evidence that the writer had dined at the affected restaurant or bought food packaged by the affected food company.  Masse also used fraudulent invoices from hospitals and an ambulance company as false evidence of medical expenses.

          In correspondence with the insurance carriers, Masse demanded payments totaling more than $399,000.  Some of the insurance companies responded by mailing insurance settlement checks totaling more than $206,000 to Masse’s home in Hampton and homes associated with her family members (who were unwitting participants in the scheme to defraud).

          Masse is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28, 2020.

          “Insurance fraud has a serious impact on hard-working individuals and families, as it drives up their insurance premiums and makes it more difficult to collect on legitimate claims,” said U.S Attorney Murray.  “The conduct in this case was carefully planned and persistent.  It involved the attempted theft of almost $400,000, the use of bogus documents, and Masse’s use of personal identifying information that belonged to innocent members of her family.  I want to commend the New Hampshire Insurance Department for its exceptional work on this case and its overall tenacious effort to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud in all of its forms.”

          “I’m very proud of the hard work and dedication of my Fraud Unit,” said John Elias, the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner.  “This fraud scheme caused harm to private consumers, businesses, and insurance carriers.  One of our highest priorities is to protect these entities, and we are thankful to the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI for partnering with us to combat fraud.”

          "Cleanliness and accountability are the bedrock on which restaurants and food providers stake their reputations. Jacqueline Masse attempted to enrich herself by exploiting that fact and using smear tactics to persuade the victims' insurance companies to settle her bogus claims," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "The FBI thanks the New Hampshire Insurance Department for its exceptional investigative work, which helped expose her fraud and the truth."

          The New Hampshire Insurance Department investigated this case with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

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          CONCORD - Randy Stevens, 29, of Farmington, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 30, 2018, an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers advised that Stevens planned to travel from Rochester, New Hampshire to the Lawrence, Massachusetts area in a pickup truck to purchase a large quantity of fentanyl.  Later the same day, law enforcement officers observed the truck travel from Rochester to a liquor store in Lawrence.  After the vehicle returned to New Hampshire, it was stopped by the New Hampshire State Police for a traffic violation.  Stevens was a passenger in the vehicle.  After a narcotics detection dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the truck, 269.3 grams of fentanyl were recovered.

          On the evening of June 2, 2018, a Kingston, New Hampshire police officer conducted a traffic stop of a motorcycle that Stevens was operating on Route 125.  Stevens provided the officer with a false name and the officer later recovered 42 grams of fentanyl from the motorcycle.

          Stevens previously pleaded guilty on August 2, 2019.

          “Interstate fentanyl trafficking has produced devastating consequences for the people of New Hampshire.” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to stop this deadly trade and protect our citizens, we will seek the prosecution and incarceration of responsible parties. Mr. Stevens’ prison sentence should serve as a warning to drug dealers who are inclined to engage in similar conduct.”  

          “Fentanyl distribution is destroying people’s lives and wreaking havoc in our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “DEA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue and bring to justice any individual or organization that distributes this poison.”

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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          CONCORD – Alfonz Vei, 45, of Dover, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

          According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September of, 2018, an undercover law enforcement officer (UC) purchased methamphetamine from Kristen Hodgkins.  On October 9, 2018, in Dover, Vei and Hodgkins distributed 43.6 grams of methamphetamine to a UC.  Agents observed Vei weighing out the methamphetamine on a scale just before Hodgkins took the drugs and delivered them to the UC.

         On January 11, 2019, postal inspectors intercepted a package from a fictitious address and addressed to a residence in Dover, where Vei had a prior affiliation.  Investigators observed Vei arrive at the address at approximately the time the package was due to be delivered.  The package was searched pursuant to a warrant and was determined to contain 444.4 grams of methamphetamine.

         On January 16, 2019, Vei was stopped driving a car in Exeter.  He had an unloaded Glock 9 mm firearm in the vehicle, as well as approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and 115 ecstasy pills. 

         Hodgkins was sentenced to 84 months on September 25, 2019.  Vei previously pleaded guilty on July 30, 2019.       

         “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that presents a growing threat to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Even as we combat the opioid crisis, we remain committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who endanger our community by distributing methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.”        

          “As methamphetamine seizures by law enforcement are on the rise DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of the Granite State,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.”

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Rochester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.      

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          CONCORD - Nestor Santiago Torres, 33, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday to 50 months in prison for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on the evening of January 31, 2018, a New Hampshire State Trooper made a traffic stop of a Ford Expedition on Interstate 93 in Salem.  The defendant was a passenger in the vehicle.  During a consensual search of the vehicle, a Trooper located a clear plastic package beneath the front passenger’s seat that contained approximately 373.8 grams of fentanyl.  Multiple sandwich bags and a digital scale also were recovered from the motor vehicle.  During a later interview, Torres admitted that the drugs belonged to him and that he had been engaged in the distribution of drugs.

          Torres previously pleaded guilty on March 22, 2019.

          “For drug dealers, the cost of selling fentanyl in New Hampshire is a federal prison term,”said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray. “Those who choose to engage in this business should expect to be investigated, identified, prosecuted, and incarcerated. We will continue to work with New Hampshire State Police, HSI, and all of our law enforcement partners to end this lethal trade.”

          “This man has been convicted of distributing a highly addictive and destructive drug.  Too many lives have been lost to this opioid epidemic and law enforcement is not taking it lightly,” said Jason J. Molina, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston.  “Torres will now have plenty of time behind bars to contemplate his actions and there is one less dealer on the streets of New Hampshire.”

          This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

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          Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

          Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

          “Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

          “In New Hampshire, gun violence is linked to the trade in opioids and other illegal drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray. “It is essential that we utilize all law enforcement resources to curtail the ability of drug dealers to acquire firearms through illegal means.  These include straw purchases, lying on federal firearms forms, and possession by convicted felons and others who are disqualified from gun ownership under federal law. Through Project Guardian, we will work to strengthen law enforcement partnerships that can have a major impact on gun crime and reduce the availability of firearms for drug dealers and other criminals.”

           “ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.” 

          Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1. Coordinated Prosecution. Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.
2. Enforcing the Background Check System. United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees. 
   Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.
3. Improved Information Sharing. On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.
4. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials. Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.  
   Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.
5. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination. Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

          Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.   

For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

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           CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Bernard Lindsay, 41, of Concord, was sentenced yesterday to 80 months in federal prison for possession of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine with intent to distribute.           

          According to trial exhibits and witness testimony during the two-day jury trial, on April 16, 2018, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Office of Probation and Parole, conducted a home visit at the defendant’s residence in Concord, New Hampshire. In the defendant’s home, officers found a plastic case containing over 16 grams of methamphetamine, over 23 grams of fentanyl, and over 34 grams of cocaine.  From the defendant’s person, officers recovered a large amount of money.  In addition, officers recovered drug paraphernalia and other evidence of drug distribution, including a known cutting agent, throughout the residence.  The Concord Police Department responded to the parole officers’ request for assistance, and continued the investigation by obtaining search warrants for the defendant’s home, car and cellular phones.  At trial, the government introduced evidence of the defendant’s ongoing drug trafficking activities recovered from his cell phones.  The jury returned guilty verdicts on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. 

          “Drug dealers should understand that they face long federal prison terms if they continue to do business in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Drug trafficking has caused severe damage in communities throughout our state.  In order to stop this destructive activity, we are committed to working closely with the Concord Police Department, DEA, NHDOC and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who traffic in illegal drugs.”

          “DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Lindsay accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal partners will do everything in our power to keep these highly addictive drugs off the streets of New Hampshire.”

          “This case demonstrates an ongoing collaborative team effort by law enforcement partners at the local, state, and federal level to remove a dangerous drug dealer from our community,” said Lieutenant Sean Ford on behalf of Concord Police Department.  “Mr. Lindsey’s arrest and prosecution is a big step forward in making our communities safer and holding those that deal dangerous drugs accountable.”

          This matter was investigated by the Concord Police Department and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Office of Probation and Parole, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cam T. Le and Georgiana L. Konesky.

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Geudin Nivar Baez, a/k/a/ Jhonatan Mateo, 31, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced yesterday to 52 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.         

            According to court documents and statements make in court, in May of 2018, Nivar Baez’s co-defendant Santo Benito Lara participated in a conspiracy to sell fentanyl to a customer in Salem, New Hampshire.  After the DEA received information about the conspiracy, it began an investigation into Lara’s activities.  Between May and September of 2018, Nivar Baez and Lara sold fentanyl in Lawrence to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions.

            Lara was found guilty by a jury on May 10, 2019 and is awaiting sentencing. Nivar Baez previously pleaded guilty on May 15, 2019.

            Nivar faces possible removal to the Dominican Republic after the completion of his prison sentence.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking is damaging communities in New Hampshire every day,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who are selling illegal drugs in the Granite State.  This prison sentence demonstrates the severe consequences for drug dealers who choose to introduce lethal fentanyl into our state.”

          “Opioid abuse are at epidemic levels in New Hampshire and across New England,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “DEA is committed to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Navar Baez who are coming from out of state to distribute fentanyl, in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.”         

            This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Essex County (MA) Sheriff’s Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Dronzek and Jarad Hodes.

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            CONCORD - Edwin Martinez-Guzman, 37, of New York, was sentenced in federal court to 120 months in prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, after law enforcement officers learned that Martinez-Guzman was preparing to conduct a drug transaction, they approached him in a parking lot in Manchester on November 28, 2018.  Martinez-Guzman was arrested with over 150 grams of pure methamphetamine.

            Martinez-Guzman previously pleaded guilty on June 12, 2019.

            “Interstate drug traffickers have caused tremendous damage to the quality of life in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to ensure the safety of our citizens, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who bring dangerous drugs into the Granite State.  Drug dealers should understand that if they sell methamphetamine in New Hampshire, they will find themselves in federal prison.”

            “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Martinez-Guzman accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are coming from out of state to distribute methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug out of the Granite State.” 

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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            CONCORD- Brian Boucher, 41, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court on November 1, 2019, to distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on four separate occasions in February and March, 2019, Mr. Boucher sold fentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with Nashua Police detectives.  He was arrested on March 8, 2019.

            Boucher is scheduled to be sentenced on February 14, 2020.

            “The distribution of fentanyl continues to be a menace to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to address this threat, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are distributing this deadly drug in the Granite State.”

             This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim Barth.

            This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.           

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Joseph M. Crocco, 42, of Poughkeepsie, New York, was sentenced to 144 months in prison and ordered to pay $2709 in restitution for robbing a credit union.         

            Evidence presented at trial showed that on December 21, 2017, the defendant entered the Service Credit Union branch located in the Walmart on Brattleboro Road in Hinsdale, New Hampshire.  He approached a teller and gave her two notes.  He then told her that he had a bomb strapped to his body and she had 60 seconds to comply with his demands.  The teller gave him approximately $2,700 and he fled the store.  Investigation by the New Hampshire State Police and the Hinsdale Police Department ultimately traced the defendant to Poughkeepsie where detectives from the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department identified the defendant in images taken from the credit union’s security cameras.           

            Crocco was found guilty by a jury on September 25, 2018.

            “Robberies of banks and credit unions are violent crimes that can jeopardize the safety of employees, customers, and the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the safety of our citizens, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute and incarcerate those who commit violent crimes in the Granite State.”

            "Imagine being confronted at your place of work by a stranger, who threatened that you have one minute to decide whether to live or possibly die. That was the ultimatum Joseph Crocco forced upon a credit union teller inside a popular Hinsdale superstore, when he claimed he was armed with a bomb he would detonate if she did not cooperate," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "The FBI is proud to work with our law enforcement partners, who were instrumental in bringing Crocco to justice, and who hopefully restored some peace of mind to the bank's employees."

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hinsdale Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Brattleboro, Vermont Police Department, and the City of Poughkeepsie, New York Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Dronzek and Charles Rombeau.

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CONCORD– A Grand Prairie, Texas man was found guilty today of conspiring to file false tax returns using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain tax refunds in the District of New Hampshire announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Scott W. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. 

          According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2011 through 2014, Emmanuel Akoto, also known as “Kofi,” obtained the identities of other people and used them to file false tax returns with the IRS without the knowledge or consent of the identity theft victims.  These returns listed fake income and tax withholdings and sought fraudulent refunds, which Akoto and his co-conspirators had loaded on pre-paid debit cards.  The conspiracy involved others in Texas, California, Georgia, and Ghana.  During the course of the conspiracy, Akoto e-mailed an undercover agent from the United States Secret Service requesting to purchase identities to use in his scheme.

          Akoto was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Steven J. McAuliffe.  Akoto faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy and wire fraud charges.  He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft.  He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. 

          Akoto’s co-defendant, Jeffrey Quaye, pleaded guilty in July 2018 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 5, 2019.

          “Identity theft crimes cause real harm to their victims,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When identity theft is coupled with tax fraud, the damage is compounded substantially.  In order to seek justice for crime victims, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit these serious crimes.”

          “Mr. Akoto and his co-conspirators purchased hundreds of stolen identities online, using different email addresses to execute their scheme,” said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office.  “In turn, they used the identities to file false tax returns in the victims’ names, in an attempt to obtain bogus refunds.  IRS will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners, to aggressively pursue cyber-criminals who undermine the integrity of the U.S. tax system.”

          Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Murray thanked special agents from IRS–Criminal Investigation and the Secret Service, who conducted the investigation, and Assistant United States Attorney Arnold Huftalen and Trial Attorney Sean Green, who tried the case.

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A Grand Prairie, Texas, resident was found guilty yesterday of conspiring to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a scheme to file false tax returns using stolen identities, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Scott W. Murray, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2011 through 2014, Emmanuel Akoto, also known as “Kofi,” purchased from third parties more than 560 stolen identities of other people and used the stolen identities to file false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These returns listed fake income and tax withholdings and sought fraudulent refunds, which Akoto and his co-conspirators loaded onto pre-paid debit cards. At one point, Akoto tried to purchase identities from a United States Secret Service undercover agent, asking through email how much it would cost to buy the “newest” identities. The wide-ranging conspiracy involved others in Texas, California, Georgia, and Ghana. 

Akoto is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 29, 2020 by U.S. District Judge Steven J. McAuliffe. Akoto faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and each wire fraud offense. He also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. Akoto’s co-defendant, Jeffrey Quaye, pleaded guilty in July 2018 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for his role in the scheme. Quaye is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 5, 2019.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman and U.S. Attorney Murray thanked special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigations and the Secret Service, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Sean Green, and Assistant United States Attorney Arnold Huftalen, who tried the case.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.  

          CONCORD - James Goodwin, 53, of Northwood, was sentenced on Tuesday to 70 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in the fall of 2018, a North Carolina undercover police officer was conducting an online investigation into individuals involved in the trading of illegal images of child pornography.  Goodwin was identified after he uploaded numerous images of child sexual abuse into a chatroom which were downloaded by the undercover officer. Forensic examinations of several of Goodwin’s electronic devices revealed images depicting the sexual assaults of children.        

          “The law enforcement community is committed to protecting children,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Innocent children are victimized when child pornography is created.  Those who trade or distribute these images exacerbate that harm and will be held accountable for their conduct.”

          “By viewing and distributing these images, Goodwin re-victimized these innocent child victims who were abused in the original production of such images.” said Jason J. Molina, acting special agent in charge of HSI Boston.   “Together with our federal and local partners, HSI remains dedicated to combatting the threat that depraved, online child predators like Goodwin pose. We will never waiver in our commitment to fighting for justice for the victims of those who traffic in these sickening images.”               

          This matter was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

          In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.           

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          CONCORD - Richard E. Goulet, Jr., 50, of Ocala, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to failing to pay child support, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in December of 2007, a decree of divorce was issued in the Portsmouth Family Division Court ordering Richard Goulet of Ocala, Florida, to pay support in a specified amount for his three children, all of whom are residents of New Hampshire.

          Since the date of the decree in 2007, the defendant has failed to pay child support as ordered by the Family Division and is currently in arrears of over $100,000.00

          Goulet is scheduled to be sentenced on January 30, 2020.

          “When out-of-state parents fail to pay their child support obligations, it can violate federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In appropriate cases, we will not hesitate to bring federal criminal charges against those who refuse to provide court-ordered financial support to their children.”

          "Parents who willfully avoid paying child support by moving to another state will instead face consequences for their crime, said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “We will continue to investigate parents who fail to pay court-ordered support for the care of their children.”               

          This matter was investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Fitzgibbon.

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          BOSTON – This weekend the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will once again conduct one of its most popular community programs:  National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Saturday October 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the public can dispose of their expired, unused, and unwanted prescription medications at 594 collection sites throughout New England, operated by local law enforcement agencies and other community partners. The service is free of charge, no questions asked and most of these collection sites can be found in the lobby of your local Police Department.  To find a collection site near you go to: www.DEATakeBack.com

          For the first time, DEA will now accept vaping devices and cartridges at any of its drop off locations during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It is important to note that DEA cannot accept devices containing lithium ion batteries. If batteries cannot be removed prior to drop-off, DEA encourages individuals to consult with stores that recycle lithium ion batteries.

          Concerns have been raised across the United States over illnesses and death caused by vaping and the high youth vaping initiation rates. In an effort to support a healthy lifestyle and energetic population, especially amongst America’s youth, DEA is committed to doing all it can to help safely dispose of vaping devices and substances.

          This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that flushing these drugs down the toilet or throwing them in the trash posed potential safety and health hazards.

          “Our take-back events highlight the problems associated to prescription drug abuse and gives our citizens an opportunity to contribute to the solution,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “These efforts help remove unwanted, expired and unused prescription pills that can be abused, stolen or resold which helps our continued dedication to combat the prescription pill, fentanyl and heroin epidemic of substance abuse and addiction.

          “Everyone should consider participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day,” said New Hampshire U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray.  “Although medications are needed to treat illness, we have seen the tragic impact of diverting and abusing prescription drugs.  This program is a simple and effective way to protect Granite State families by removing unneeded prescriptions from the home. Properly disposing of these drugs can prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.”

          Last April, during its 17th Take Back Day, the DEA New England Field Division participated in the drug take back day and, over the course of four hours, 89,366.3 pounds or over 44 tons of expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs we’re collected at 583 collection sites throughout New England. 

          The following was the breakdown of collected weights for the six New England states:

          CT – 8,361.80

          MA – 28,117.50

          ME – 27,680

          NH – 14,180

          RI – 4,465

          VT – 6,562

          Total- 89,366.3

          For more information about the harms of youth vaping, please visit: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/facts/vaping-what-you-should-know.

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          CONCORD- Jean Fouad Yazbek, 63, of Norwood, Massachusetts, was sentenced in federal court on Friday to 24 months in prison for traveling to New Hampshire with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2018, members of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an undercover investigation targeting online sexual offenders.  As part of this investigation, a detective created an undercover online persona of a 15-year-old girl (“UC”) residing in Nashua, New Hampshire.  Various individuals, including Yazbek, began messaging the UC on social media soon after the account was registered.  Beginning on October 2, 2018, and continuing through October 8, 2018, Yazbek engaged in sexually-charged conversations over social media with the UC.  In their conversations, Yazbek discussed his desire to engage in various sex acts, including sexual intercourse, with the UC whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl. 

          On October 8, 2018, Yazbek drove from Massachusetts to Nashua, New Hampshire, to meet the UC and engage in illicit sexual conduct at a local hotel.  When Yazbek arrived, he encountered law enforcement officers instead and was placed under arrest.  Yazbek admitted that he had planned to meet a 15-year-old girl whom he had met online.  He further admitted that he intended to engage in illicit sexual conduct, including sexual intercourse, with the girl.  According to Yazbek, he had checked into a local hotel prior to his arrest, and his hotel room contained a brand new phone, a teddy bear, undergarments, and a backpack containing shaving equipment, lubricant, and condoms.  Yazbek gave written consent to search his hotel room. Officers later searched his hotel room and found the items described by Yazbek during his interview. 

          Yazbek previously pleaded guilty on May 14, 2019.

           “Protecting the well-being of our children is a high priority of the law enforcement community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “It is disturbing that criminals are lurking online and seeking to prey upon children in the Granite State.  Thankfully, this defendant’s efforts to victimize a young girl were thwarted by excellent law enforcement work.  Predators who use the internet should be aware that law enforcement officers will be alert and watching.  We will not hesitate to bring federal charges against those who threaten the safety of children in New Hampshire.” 

             “Yazbek thought he was traveling across state lines to have sex with a 15 year old, but his fantasy came to an abrupt end when he found himself in handcuffs” said Jason J. Molina, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Boston.  “Today’s sentencing should send a strong message to those who seek to sexually exploit children – state lines will not impede the efforts of the law enforcement community in safeguarding our children and bringing predators to face justice.”

          This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.

          In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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            CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Mark Manapsal, 35, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court to 70 months in prison for distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 17, 2016, and November 2, 2016, Manapsal sold cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  On November 29, 2016, Manapsal, a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing guns, sold a semi-automatic rifle to the cooperating individual for $900.  On March 22, 2017, Manapsal was found in possession of 497 grams of cocaine when his vehicle was stopped by the New Hampshire State Police in Nashua.

            Manapsal previously pleaded guilty on July 11, 2019.

            “Armed drug traffickers present a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect our community, law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire are working together to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate drug dealers.  Drug dealers who increase the risk to the public by using firearms should expect to find themselves in federal prison.”

           "The FBI is all too familiar with what havoc can result from a semi-automatic rifle being sold into the wrong hands. Mark Manapsal was a convicted felon and cocaine pusher when he brokered the sale of an AM-15 he told the buyer was given to him to cover a drug debt," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Drugs and guns are a dangerous mix.  Today's sentence should deliver that message to Mr. Manapsal loud and clear."

           “DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute cocaine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Manapsal accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this drug off the streets of New Hampshire.”

           The case was investigated by the FBI, DEA, New Hampshire State Police, and the Manchester Police Department.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also provided assistance.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

           This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

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            CONCORD – Kenneth Kirkpatrick, 33, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court on Thursday to 36 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers obtained information that Kirkpatrick was selling firearms.  On July 26, 2018, Kirkpatrick sold a firearm, ammunition, and firearm accessories to an individual who was cooperating with the ATF. As a convicted felon, Kirkpatrick could not lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition.

            Kirkpatrick’s previously pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019.

            “Federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The law is intended to reduce violent crime by keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who violate federal gun laws.” 

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.

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            CONCORD – Isaiah Goodwin, 42, of Concord, pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm silencer that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Goodwin purchased the silencer on a website and received it at his home in Concord. The ATF seized it during a search of his residence. The silencer was not registered, as required, in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

            Goodwin is scheduled to be sentenced on January 30, 2020.

            “Unregistered silencers can be used by criminals to commit violent crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will work closely with ATF to enforce federal law in order to protect the citizens of our community from potential harm."

            “ATF will continue work with its federal, state and local partners to enforce federal firearm laws for the unregulated sale and possession of unregistered silencers, which in the wrong hands, pose a threat to public safety,” said Kelly D. Brady, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division. 

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

            This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national initiative undertaken by the U.S. Department of Justice to reduce gun crime in America through, among other things, community outreach and vigorous prosecution of firearms offenses.

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            CONCORD - Heath Palmer, 39, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 10, 2019, to possessing a synthetic cannabinoid product containing 5F-MDMB-PICA with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to statements made in court, on April 18, 2019, Palmer was observed by police officers conducting hand-to-hand sales from a car.  The Manchester Police stopped Palmer and he voluntarily turned over the product he was selling.  Palmer claimed that the product did not contain illegal substances.  Testing by the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed, however, that the product contained an illegal substance, 5F-MDMB-PICA.

            On May 7, 2019, Palmer was informed by the Manchester Police that the substance he was selling was in fact illegal under federal law.  Three days later, the Manchester Police observed Palmer continuing to make hand-to-hand sales from a car.  The police stopped the car and seized the product that Palmer was selling.  The product was again tested, and it contained the same illegal substance, 5F-MDMB-PICA. 

            Palmer is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2020.

            According to the DEA, synthetic cannabinoids, which commonly are referred to by names such as “Spice” or “K2,” are designer drugs that are made in laboratories.  The chemicals often are sprayed onto plant substances and then smoked in order to obtain a high.  These substances have severe adverse effects and have often led to overdoses.  In addition to the dangers associated with the chemical substances themselves, the lack of manufacturing standards may lead to increased health risks. 

            The DEA issued a regulation on April 16, 2019, that made 5F-MDMB-PICA and several other synthetic cannabinoids Schedule I controlled substances.  In its order, the DEA noted that this drug had been associated with over 47 overdoses in Connecticut and at least 244 overdoses in Washington, D.C.  Further information is available at https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/fed_regs/rules/2019/fr0416.htm and https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/sites/getsmartaboutdrugs.com/files/publications/DoA_2017Ed_Updated_6.16.17.pdf#page=88.

            “Synthetic cannabinoids are dangerous drugs that can cause serious bodily harm,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Because of significant damage to communities in the Granite State, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against those who sell these dangerous substances.  I am grateful to the Manchester Police and DEA for their excellent work, which got this drug trafficker off the streets.”

            “There is a misconception that synthetic cannabinoids, known on the street as synthetic marijuana, K2 and spice are safe.  Synthetic cannabinoids are anything but safe,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “They are a toxic cocktail of lethal chemicals created in China and then disguised as plant material here in New England.  DEA and its local, state and federal partners will work diligently to keep this dangerous drug off the streets of New Hampshire.”

            The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth R. Aframe.

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          CONCORD - Daniel Irving, 28, of Manchester, was sentenced in federal court to 96 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 19, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Irving and another individual in a vehicle near a convenience store in Concord, New Hampshire.  Inside the vehicle, officers found more than 70 grams of methamphetamine and two firearms.  In addition, drug paraphernalia, including a glass mirror, digital scale, a ledger, syringes and plastic baggies were confiscated.   

          Irving previously pleaded guilty on July 1, 2019.

          “Armed drug dealers are a menace to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “As Mr. Irving has learned, those who possess firearms while trafficking in illegal drugs should expect to serve substantial prison terms.  In order to protect the public, we will continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who arm themselves with firearms.”

          "The high-risk road Daniel Irving chose to follow had no shortage of warning signs for what lie ahead:  Addiction and petty crimes escalated to his being caught in a car with two firearms and peddling methamphetamine - a dangerous drug he claims to have been a victim of himself," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "Today's sentencing is that rare second chance for Mr. Irving to find a new direction. Because rest assured, we and our law enforcement partners will hold the course in our pursuit of illegal drug traffickers inflicting pain and suffering on our communities."

          This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Concord Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.          

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          CONCORD - Dennis Robertson, 43, of Hooksett, was sentenced on Thursday in federal court to 3 years of probation and ordered to pay more than $37,000 in restitution for embezzling labor union assets, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, Robertson served as the business manager for a local union based in New Hampshire for approximately 14 years until his dismissal in or around March 2017.  He was the only full-time paid officer or employee of the local union, which had approximately 140 to 170 dues-paying members.  Robertson’s duties included managing finances, receiving dues, dispatching workers, and handling grievances.

          Robertson had access to the organization’s bank accounts.  After Robertson left the union in approximately March of 2017, an audit revealed substantial financial discrepancies under Robertson’s tenure.  In sum, this review revealed that between August 2015 and February 2017, Robertson wrote and signed unauthorized expense checks to himself and made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s checking account in the approximate amount of $23,519.  He additionally embezzled union funds in two other ways: (1) by making unsupported mileage payments to himself of approximately $11,333 and (2) failing to disclose cash dues payments he received from members in the amount of approximately $3,045.  When approached by investigators, Robertson admitted to taking the funds in order to fund his addiction to crack cocaine and other narcotics.  The Court’s sentence includes restitution to make the local union and its insurer whole for their losses.

          Robertson previously pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019.

          “Union members put their trust in Mr. Robertson and he betrayed that trust,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The defendant improperly appropriated union funds for his personal use.  As a result of his self-serving actions, he is now a federal felon.”   

          “Combatting financial fraud and investigating embezzlement of union funds help safeguard financial integrity in labor unions,” said DOL-OLMS Northeastern Regional Director Andriana Vamvakas.  “This is a major priority for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards.  We will work with the United States Attorney’s Office to identify criminal violations and pursue appropriate legal action whenever anyone puts personal financial gain ahead of the best interests of union members.”

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.           

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          CONCORD - Shawn Meehan, 47, of Scarborough, Maine, pleaded guilty in federal court in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday to embezzlement and conversion of government property, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

          According to court documents and statements made in court, from about April 2015 to about October 2018, when Meehan was employed as the Resident Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations office in Portland, Maine, he sold government property on eBay for his personal profit.

          According to the plea agreement filed in the case, Meehan acknowledged that the loss to the government was between $6,500 and $15,000 and that he abused a position of public trust in a way that significantly facilitated the commission and concealment of the offense.  A sentencing date has not yet been set by the Court.   

         This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Professional Responsibility and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold Huftalen of the District of New Hampshire, appointed as a Special Attorney to the U.S. Attorney General to handle this case in the District of Maine.

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            Concord – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Sergio Martinez, 29, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to leading a continuing criminal enterprise and participating in a money laundering conspiracy based upon his role in operating a Lawrence-based fentanyl trafficking organization. The plea agreement, if accepted by the judge at sentencing, would require Martinez to serve a 45-year prison sentence and forfeit $2,000,000 in cash, as well as three houses in Lawrence.

            The guilty plea came on the sixth day of a jury trial.  During the trial, which began on October 1, 2019, the government presented evidence that Martinez operated a fentanyl trafficking operation that employed numerous individuals to sell fentanyl to customers from various New England states, including New Hampshire. Testimony at trial showed that customers knew the Martinez organization by the name “Brian” and that most of the organization’s customers came from New Hampshire.  Distributors knew to identify customers on the streets of Lawrence by their New Hampshire license plates.

            Testimony at trial showed that the organization served three distinct sets of customers. The first group of customers, who ordered the smallest amounts of drugs, was served by various telephones (“small phones”) that were located in a specific residence and answered by dispatchers. This residence was referred to as “the base” and dispatchers staffed “the base” from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily. Dispatchers took orders and directed customers to meet various distributors throughout the Merrimack Valley area, mostly in Lawrence or Haverhill, Massachusetts, but sometimes in Salem, New Hampshire. These phones usually received hundreds of calls daily from customers placing fentanyl orders. Street-level distributors were provided with 200-gram bags of fentanyl, which they sold for $30 per gram, generating $6,000 per bag of fentanyl sold. Distributors testified at trial that they sometimes had lines of 10 to 15 customers, most with New Hampshire license plates, waiting for them on the street.

            A second set of customers was serviced by the so-called “big phone.” The big phone was reserved for customers who typically purchased from ten grams to 200 grams of fentanyl at a time, quantities which the purchasers would then distribute themselves. The defendant and his brother Raulin Martinez answered this telephone, took orders, and sent these customers to meet a different set of distributors. They promised these customers better and faster service than they received if they called the small phones. These phones received between approximately 50 and 100 calls daily. 

            A third, much smaller set of customers, who ordered particularly large quantities of fentanyl (usually one kilogram or more at a time) called the defendant directly to place orders. The organization would deliver directly to these individuals by sending a distributor, often in a taxi, to deliver to these customers at or near their residences.

            Trial testimony showed that Martinez managed numerous individuals including between five and ten runners working each day, people who staffed “the base” answering telephones, and people who mixed and packaged the drugs in milling operations he operated at different locations in Lawrence. The jury was provided with evidence showing that investigators seized over 12 kilograms of fentanyl from the Martinez organization during the investigation. During one telephone call intercepted over a court-authorized wiretap and played at trial, Martinez spoke to a man who identified himself as a fentanyl supplier located in Sinaloa, Mexico. Martinez told him, “what I look for is quality for when I prepare it and give it to people. Because I’m one of those people that’s moving a lot here. I move between 15, to 30, to 35 kilos a month.” In other intercepted telephone calls played at trial, Martinez acknowledged the dangerous nature of the drug he distributed, noting that “what we give out is poison.”

            Evidence at trial showed that Martinez received substantial income from his business and that he sent some of this money to the Dominican Republic. Drug runners testified that they provided the defendant with between $30,000 and $35,000 per day based on aggregate drug sales.  On one occasion, the defendant was stopped by the police while transporting $400,494 in cash that he intended to send to the Dominican Republic. This money was seized by the DEA.

            The plea agreement includes a forfeiture of $2,000,000 including funds in two bank accounts in the Dominican Republic in Martinez’s name.

            Martinez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 28, 2020.

            A total of 34 individuals were charged with participating in this conspiracy.  Martinez is the last of various co-conspirators to plead guilty. The following individuals previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing:

• Miguel Alvarez, 38, of Haverhill, MA, pled guilty on January 31, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2019;
• Eduard Amparo, 47, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on August 29, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for December 16 2019;
• Edward Brailey Delacruz, 25, of Methuen, MA, pled guilty on June 24, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2019;
• Edward Brito, 32, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on July 10, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2019;
• Julio Colon, 25, of Lawrence, MA pled guilty on September 30, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2020.
• Luz DeJesus, 34, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on January 31, 2019. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2019;
• Juan Dimel Gil Castillo, 25, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on February 6, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 27, 2019;
• Ramon Gil Huma, 26, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on March 11, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2019;
• Steven Lessard, 31, of Lowell, MA pled guilty on September 30, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2020;
• Henry Marte, 22, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on January 25, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2019;
• Raulin Martinez, 37, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on December 7, 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for November 29, 2019;
• Fernand Miranda, 24, of Haverhill, MA, pled guilty on September 16, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for January 2, 2020.
• Jared Ortega-Peguero, 26, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on December 6, 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2019;
• Suhey Perez, 40, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on May 2, 2019. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 18, 2019;
• Luz Perez DeMartinez, 27, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on February 12, 2019. Her sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2019;
• Wagner Pimentel, 29, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on March 15, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 19, 2019;
• Luis Angel Polanco Huma, 23, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on August 14, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 27, 2019.
• Jorge Rodriguez, 22, of Methuen, MA, pled guilty on February 28, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2019;
• Luis Antonio Salomon Polanco, 21, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on March 11, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 18, 2019;
• Juan Rafael Tejada-Jimenez, 39, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on November 29, 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for November 22, 2019.

             In addition to the defendants listed above, nine other defendants have pleaded guilty and already have been sentenced. Four defendants remain fugitives.

            In addition to these defendants, 13 New Hampshire-based individuals who obtained fentanyl from this organization have been charged with drug trafficking offenses.  Twelve of those individuals have pleaded guilty and one is still awaiting trial.

            “The evidence in this case demonstrates that Lawrence-based fentanyl traffickers have made huge profits from pumping large quantities of deadly fentanyl into New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Mr. Martinez ran a sophisticated marketing operation that served as a conduit between the Mexican drug cartels and customers in Northern New England. This was a complex case in which the entire law enforcement community worked together to bring high-level fentanyl traffickers to justice. The end result should serve as a warning to those who choose to sell fentanyl in the Granite State.”

            “DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling large scale drug trafficking organizations like this one operating in Lawrence, MA led by Mr. Martinez,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Fentanyl distribution destroys people’s lives and wreaks havoc in our communities.  DEA and our law enforcement partners will aggressively pursue any individual or organization that distributes this poison.”

            This investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

            The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the DEA; the New Hampshire State Police; the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; the Nashua Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office; the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; United States Customs and Border Protection Boston Field Office; the United States Marshals Service; the United States Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Manchester Police Department; the Lisbon Police Department; the Littleton Police Department; the Seabrook Police Department; the Haverhill (MA) Police Department; the Methuen (MA) Police Department; the Lowell (MA) Police Department; and the Maine State Police.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky and Seth R. Aframe.  

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          CONCORD – Korin Gendreau, 32, of Stewartstown, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to distribution of Oxycodone and Vicodin, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 19, 2018, Gendreau sold Vicodin, also known as Hydrocodone, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  On January 11, 2019, Gendreau sold Oxycodone to the same cooperating individual.   Gendreau was arrested in April of 2019.

          Gendreau is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2020.

          “The illegal distribution of prescription painkillers has contributed to the opioid crisis in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who unlawfully sell these powerful prescription drugs.”                 

          This matter was investigated by the DEA, with assistance from the Colebrook Police Department, the Pittsburg Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement and Licensing, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles L. Rombeau and John S. Davis.

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          CONCORD – Thomas Whitney, 39, of Barrington, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to production of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, between a date unknown and September 19, 2018, Whitney produced visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct using a cellular telephone.   

         Whitney is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2020.

          “Protection of children is a high priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Scott Murray.  “We will continue to work closely with the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners to safeguard young people.” 

          “Mr. Whitney is finally accepting responsibility for his heinous actions—coercing a five-year-old child into sexually explicit conduct,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to do everything in its power to stop children from being exploited and bring to justice those responsible for terrorizing them.” 

          This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.           

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            CONCORD – Joseph Roy, 31, and Amelia Roy 30, both of Hudson, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, from November 9, 2018, until January 8, 2019, a cooperating individual, at the direction of Nashua Police Department detectives, arranged on three occasions to buy fentanyl from Joseph Roy. Amelia Roy, Mr. Roy’s sister, participated as an accomplice during one of the transactions.

            Joseph and Amelia Roy are scheduled to be sentenced on January 3, 2020.

            “Fentanyl trafficking has had devastating consequences throughout New Hampshire” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation SOS we will continue to work with the Nashua Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout Hillsborough County to bring those responsible to justice.”      

            This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.

            This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.  

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