District of New Hampshire

            CONCORD - Kristen Hodgkins, 30, of Rochester, was sentenced in to serve 84 months in federal prison for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning about September 4, 2018, Hodgkins sold methamphetamine to an undercover police officer on multiple occasions.  On December 20, 2018, agents traveled to a store in Rochester and located Hodgkins in a vehicle driven by another woman.  New Hampshire State Police stopped the vehicle and Hodgkins was arrested on outstanding arrest warrants.  During a search of Hodgkins’s bags, a police officer located bags containing approximately 146.4 grams of methamphetamine. 

            Hodgkins previously pleaded guilty on June 19, 2019.

            “Methamphetamine is a powerful drug that endangers the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The seven-year sentence imposed in this case should serve as a warning to those inclined to sell this substance in our state. We will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to identify, arrest, and incarcerate those who engage in this trade.”     

          “DEA will do everything in our power to bring to justice those who distribute methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Ms. Hodgkins accountable for her crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal partners will work diligently to keep this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire.”        

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 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 - Joseph Francis Brodie, Jr., 50, of Merrimack, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to drug trafficking charges, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 28, 2018, a cooperating individual, at the direction of Nashua Police Department detectives, arranged to buy  heroin from Brodie.  On October 2, 2018, the cooperating individual contacted Brodie again and arranged to buy more heroin.  Lab testing revealed that Brodie sold a combination of fentanyl and heroin to the individual. 

            Brodie is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15, 2020.

            “Trafficking in fentanyl and heroin has caused great damage to the health and safety of people throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are distributing these deadly drugs.”        

                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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            CONCORD - Jesus Lopez, 27, of Lowell, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to distributing a controlled substance, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 26, 2017 and January 31, 2018, law enforcement officers used a cooperating individual to make three separate controlled purchases of fentanyl from Lopez in Hudson, New Hampshire.    

            Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking presents a grave risk to the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who distribute this deadly drug.  I commend the New Hampshire State Police for their efforts in this case.”     

            This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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            CONCORD - Anthony Cabrera, 27, of Lawrence, was sentenced to 60 months for distribution of fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 12, 2019, the defendant traveled from Massachusetts to New Hampshire and sold approximately 49 grams of fentanyl to an undercover officer in Salem, New Hampshire.         

            Cabrera previously pleaded guilty on June 6, 2019.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking threatens the health and safety of people throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This conduct clearly merits the imposition of substantial prison sentences. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate, prosecute, and incarcerate those who are responsible for distributing this deadly drug.”

          “The state of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions.  DEA will aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.”

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

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            CONCORD - Ryan Burns, 39, of Nashua, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 4, 2018, Burns purchased a .45 caliber firearm from an undercover federal enforcement officer for $100 cash, a box of .22 caliber ammunition, and an antique firearm. As explained in court documents and stated during the hearing, Ryan’s possession of the gun was unlawful due a previous involuntary commitment to a mental health facility.

            Burns will be sentenced on January 14, 2020.

            “In order to maintain public safety, we are striving to prevent gun crime in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who seek to obtain guns unlawfully.”

            The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

            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 - Nathanael Peguero, 27, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to conspiracy to distribute over 40 grams of fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between November and December of 2016, a DEA Task Force Officer (“TFO”) made arrangements with Peguero to purchase fentanyl.  The undercover officer made a series of five undercover purchases of fentanyl from Peguero or members of Peguero’s drug trafficking organization. 

            Peguero is scheduled to be sentenced on January 14, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking endangers the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect our community, we will aggressively prosecute those who are responsible for distributing this deadly drug in the Granite State.”  

                This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Hampton Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John 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 – Matthew MacLeod, 34, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 7, 2018, officers from the Rochester Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by MacLeod.  During a later search of the vehicle, officers found multiple drugs, including cocaine and over 40 grams of fentanyl.  MacLeod possessed the drugs with the intent to sell them.  Officers also seized a firearm from the vehicle. 

            MacLeod is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2020.

            “Armed drug dealers are a menace to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “I am grateful for the work of the Rochester Police Department and the FBI in removing this threat from our streets.  Close cooperation by law enforcement is essential to addressing the opioid crisis.”  

            "Each and every day, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard targeting armed drug dealers like Mr. MacLeod, who illegally contribute to the opioid crisis that continues to devastate communities all over the Granite state.  By finally accepting responsibility for his criminal conduct, he's one step closer to being held accountable for poisoning our streets with dangerous drugs and putting residents in harm's way," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

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

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            CONCORD – Darrius Weekly, 25, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing cocaine base, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between September 17, 2018 and November 7, 2018, law enforcement officers made five separate controlled purchases of cocaine base (also known as crack cocaine) from Weekly in and around Manchester. 

            Weekly is scheduled to be sentenced on January 10, 2020.

            “Crack cocaine endangers the health and safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We are committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution of this dangerous substance in the Granite State.”

            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 Charles L. Rombeau.        

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            CONCORD – Justin English, 35, of Effingham, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between early 2018 and October 4, 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force conducted an investigation into English’s fentanyl trafficking in Effingham, New Hampshire and York, Maine. On October 4, 2018, the FBI executed a search warrant on English’s residence, arrested English and his co-conspirator, and seized approximately 200 gram so fentanyl, currency, collectible coins, and four firearms. Under the terms of the plea agreement, English agreed to forfeit to the United States $28,386 in cash and $45,738 in collectible coins. The FBI previously administratively forfeited the firearms.

            Sentencing is currently scheduled for January 2, 2020.

            “Fentanyl trafficking poses a significant danger to the community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When drug traffickers are armed, the risk to public health and safety are even higher.  We are working closely with our law enforcement partners each day to identify, arrest, and prosecute the armed drug dealers who endanger the citizens of the Granite State.”         

             This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the York, Maine County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Effingham, New Hampshire Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Davis.   

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          CONCORD - Julion Adamski Parker, a/k/a Julian Iden Lima, 27, of Chester, was sentenced to time served (approximately 16 months) and fined $1,000 for violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 11, 2017, Chester Police Department received a call that Parker was inside the Chester General Store with a gun in plain view.  Knowing that Parker previously had been convicted of impersonating a federal officer, members of the Chester Police arrested Parker for being a felon in possession of a deadly weapon.

          Further investigation showed that Parker had previously purchased guns on two occasions by completing documents that falsely claimed that he had never been convicted a felony in any court.  On March 30, 2017, Parker purchased a Mosin-Nagant, Model M91/30, 7.62 X 39 mm caliber rifle from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hooksett.  On June 20, 2017, he purchased an Arsenal, Model SAM7R, 7.62 X 39 mm rifle from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Londonderry.

          Parker previously pleaded guilty on May 2, 2019, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of making false statements in order to acquire a firearm.  After being released from custody, Parker will be on supervised release for three years.  During the first six months of his release he will be subject to home confinement with electronic monitoring.

          “In order to protect public safety, it is essential to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate criminals who unlawfully obtain and possess firearms.”    

          This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chester Police Department. The United States Marshal’s Service assisted in the apprehension of Parker.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra 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 - Jared Gil, 25, and Yadoris Arias, 26, both of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between February and March of 2019, Arias conspired with Gil to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. On March 25, 2019 a confidential source contacted Gil by telephone and arranged to buy $2500 of fentanyl.  Gil and Arias arrived at an apartment complex in Manchester, New Hampshire where police officers arrested them.  Investigators recovered over 80 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl in the air vent of their vehicle.  

            Gil pleaded guilty on August 1, 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 18, 2019.  Arias pleaded guilty today and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 3, 2020.

            “Interstate fentanyl trafficking promotes drug addiction throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The introduction of deadly drugs into our state has caused untold suffering. In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we will continue to be aggressive in our prosecutions of the drug dealers who bring fentanyl into the Granite State.”                 

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.          

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            CONCORD – Nicholas Messina, 28, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Messina was arrested at a hotel  in Nashua, New Hampshire, with fentanyl, cocaine, thousands of dollars, and a loaded firearm. In a post-arrest interview, Messina admitted that he possessed the drugs for distribution.   

            Messina previously pleaded guilty on May 29, 2109.  

            “Drugs and guns are an extremely lethal combination,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “While fentanyl already has destroyed far too many lives in New Hampshire, the risk that armed drug dealers pose to the public cannot be overstated.  We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop interstate drug trafficking and the violence that is associated with drug dealing.”

            "ATF will continue working with our local, state and federal 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 

            “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities, so every time we take fentanyl off the streets, lives are saved,” said Brian D. Boyle. “Let this sentence be a warning to those traffickers like Mr. Messina who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison, that DEA and its local, state and federal partners will do everything in our power to bring you to justice.”

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

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            CONCORD - Jonathan Felch, 37, of Goffstown, was sentenced serve to 96 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl drug trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that included court-authorized wiretaps, agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Felch regularly obtained fentanyl from a source in Lawrence, Massachusetts and then sold the fentanyl in New Hampshire.

            On March 14, 2018, investigators learned that Felch had ordered 20 grams of fentanyl and was traveling on Interstate 93.  The New Hampshire State Police subsequently stopped a vehicle for motor vehicle violations in which Felch was a passenger.  Felch later admitted that he had drugs in his possession and provided the troopers with approximately 18 grams of fentanyl.

            Again, on April 6, 2018, investigators learned that Felch intended to travel from New Hampshire to Lawrence to purchase drugs.  Agents conducted surveillance of Felch and observed him meet with another individual in Lawrence.  Later that day, Felch returned to New Hampshire in a vehicle that was stopped in Manchester for a motor vehicle violation.  Officers later located approximately 23 grams of fentanyl and a digital scale in the vehicle. Over the course of the wiretap investigation, Felch ordered more than 600 grams of fentanyl.

            Felch previously pleaded guilty on May 30, 2019.

            “This case once again highlights the familiar Lawrence to New Hampshire fentanyl distribution route,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The 8 year prison term should serve as a warning to those inclined to introduce this drug into the Granite State. Traffickers should realize that we will continue to seek substantial prison terms for those who engage in this conduct.”

            “The state of New Hampshire is faced with an opioid crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison in order to profit and destroy lives.”

             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, Seth R. Aframe, and Debra M. Walsh.

            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 – Jose Oriol Feliz Aybar, 31, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 24 months for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant distributed quantities of fentanyl in Lawrence, Massachusetts with Leudin Arismendi Lara (also known as Rolando Sierra-Oyola).   On three occasions in 2016, the defendant sold fentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers and who purported to be a New Hampshire-based drug trafficker.   

            Lara previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 91 months in prison.

            Aybar previously pleaded guilty on May 29, 2019.  Aybar was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face the charges in this case.   He faces likely deportation to the Dominican Republic after serving his sentence.

            “The deadly effects of interstate fentanyl trafficking are felt each day in the Granite State,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This case demonstrates that drug dealers cannot flee the United States to avoid prosecution.  In order to stop the flow of this dangerous drug into New Hampshire, we will continue to pursue traffickers and seek federal prison sentences upon their conviction.”

            “New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Aybar, who are contributing to the crisis.  This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

            The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Tactical Diversion Unit, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the New Hampshire State Police, the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department, the Exeter, New Hampshire Police Department, the Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, the Wilmington, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Seth Aframe prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD - Daniel Laterowicz, 32, of Ipswich, was sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison for possession of stolen firearms, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 10, 2018, members of the Salisbury, Massachusetts Police Department responded to a call of a possible car break-in.  Salisbury officers later notified the Seabrook Police Department of a possible suspect in the area. 

            A Seabrook Police officer encountered Laterowicz walking northbound on Batchelder Road at approximately 2:44 am.  The officer conducted a brief investigative stop of Laterowicz, during which a stolen handgun was recovered from the defendant’s breast pocket.   Investigators followed additional leads to a hotel room in Hampton, where Laterowicz had been staying.  Investigators obtained a state search warrant which they executed on December 13, 2018.  The search led to the recovery of three firearms, including two shotguns that previously had been reported stolen by a Seabrook resident who had discovered them missing from his parked car on the morning of November 29, 2018. 

            Laterowicz is a convicted felon.  It is unlawful for a person with a felony conviction to possess firearms. 

            Laterowicz pleaded guilty on May 29, 2019.

            “In order to protect our communities from violence, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute felons who jeopardize public safety by carrying weapons.”

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Salisbury, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Seabrook and Hampton, New Hampshire Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

            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 - Katie Fysh, 33, of Groveton, was sentenced to 87 months in 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, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that included court-authorized wiretaps, agents and task force officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration learned that Fysh regularly obtained fentanyl from a source in Lawrence, Massachusetts and then sold that fentanyl in New Hampshire. On both March 17, 2018, and March 18, 2018, a friend of the defendant suffered non-fatal overdoses after using the fentanyl purchased from the source in Lawrence. The defendant was arrested on March 18, 2018, and found with approximately 25 grams of fentanyl on her person. She admitted that she regularly bought fentanyl in Lawrence and distributed it in New Hampshire. 

            Fysh previously pleaded guilty on June 12, 2019.

            “Interstate fentanyl traffickers introduce a lethal drug for distribution on the streets of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In this case, the defendant followed the very familiar pattern of purchasing the drug in Lawrence and then transporting it into our state. The penalty of better than seven years in prison should serve as a deterrent to others who would choose to follow a similar path.”

            “Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Those who distribute fentanyl are endangering the safety of the citizens of New Hampshire.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.”

            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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Georgiana L. Konesky, Seth R. Aframe and Debra M. Walsh.

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            CONCORD – Enco Industries, Inc., a company located in Plaistow, New Hampshire, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $83,717.85 in restitution for making false statements to the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

            According to court documents and statements made during a hearing earlier today, the Defense Logistics Agency (“DLA”) purchases operating supplies (“items”) for the U.S. military from government contractors through the federal supply system.  The Department of Defense (“DoD”) requires that all items conform to strict military specifications identified in its contracts.  Contract solicitations include the DoD’s specifications for the requested item.

            An oil sorbent mat is one item the DLA acquires through the federal supply system.   Because the mats are used to absorb flammable liquids, the mats are required to meet specifications requiring them to dissipate electrical charges to the ground.

            According to court documents, in December of 2011, the DLA posted a solicitation to acquire approximately 96,000 units of hazardous material mats over a five-year period.  The solicitation required, among other things, that the mats pass standards established in National Fire Protection Association for Static Decay and Surface Resistivity.  The solicitation also required the selected government contractor to purchase mats manufactured by a company in Tipton, Pennsylvania or another company in Pennsylvania.

            Enco has been an approved government contractor since 2004.  On January 13, 2012, Enco’s government contracting manager submitted Enco’s bid for the contract.  The bid stated that Enco would purchase the mats from the company in Tipton for $29.15 for each unit containing 100 mats during the first year of the five-year annually renewable contract.  This statement was false because, at the time the bid was submitted, Enco did not intend to purchase the mats from the company in Tipton.

            The court documents further allege that on June 18, 2012, the DLA awarded the contract to Enco and sent the company a purchase order that incorporated all the required specifications for the mats.  From June of 2012 to October of 2013, Enco provided approximately 21,700 units to the DLA.  To obtain payments, Enco’s office manager submitted claims to the DoD.  Most of claims were false because only seven units contained mats that were manufactured by the company in Tipton.

            In August of 2013, an independent company concluded that several of the mats it tested did not meet the contract’s requirements for static decay or surface resistivity.  As a result, the DLA sent Enco a letter on October 7, 2013, that notified the company that the contract might be terminated due to non-conformance.

            In an October 2013-email addressed to the DLA, Enco’s president stated that Enco bought the mats from a non-approved manufacturer because the amount charged by the company in Tipton was prohibitive.  In the same email, Enco’s president stated that Enco was not able to identify the non-approved manufacturer.  This statement was false because, at the time of the email, Enco was able to identify the manufacturers from whom it had purchased the mats.

             While speaking with Special Agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (“NCIS”) and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (“DCIS”) on February 21, 2014, Enco’s president stated that before Enco submitted its bid on the contract, the company received price quotes from the two approved manufacturers.  According to the court documents, Enco’s president also stated that Enco decided to buy the mats from the company in Tipton because its price was lower.  This statement was false and misleading because when Enco submitted its bid for the contract, it intended to fulfill the contract by purchasing mats from a non-approved manufacturer.

            Enco previously pleaded guilty to make a false statements to an agency of the United States government on June 3, 2019.

            “Those who do business with the federal government must do so honestly,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When companies mislead the government in the efforts to obtain government contracts, they are committing a serious federal crime.  We will not hesitate to work with our law enforcement partners to root out white collar crimes in order to protect the integrity of the government contracting process.”

            "Today's sentencing is the end result of a successful joint effort to protect the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) procurement process," stated Leigh-Alistair Barzey, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office.  "DCIS is committed to working with the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Hampshire, NCIS and AFOSI, to investigate and prosecute companies that provide false statements to the DoD in a fraudulent effort to obtain defense contracts.”

            “Fraud is never a victimless crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Leo S. Lamont of the NCIS. “This case of using inferior and substandard materials damaged the readiness and safety of U.S. forces. The victims are not just our men and women in uniform, but all American taxpayers. NCIS will continue to tirelessly pursue all those who seek to take advantage of the Department of the Navy and its interests while keeping the procurement system fair and honest."

            "The Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), along with its law enforcement partners, has, and always will, aggressively identify, investigate and neutralize anyone who attempts to defraud the US Government and put our nation's warfighters at risk," stated Special Agent-in-Charge Jason T. Hein, AFOSI, Office of Procurement Fraud.”

            The case was investigated by the NCIS, DCIS, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Office of Procurement.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella prosecuted the case with assistance from K. Drew Ayers, Acquisition Fraud Counsel for the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command Law Office.

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            CONCORD - Michael A. Albert, 51, of Chichester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to structuring cash deposits from his business, Mike’s Affordable Auto, LLC, for the purpose of evading bank reporting requirements, money laundering, and evading reporting requirements with respect to cash transactions in excess of $10,000, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Albert, who ran a used car business at locations in Concord and Chichester, knew that if he deposited cash in amounts more than $10,000, the bank was required to file reports of those transactions with the IRS.  Albert structured cash deposits from his business in order to evade the reporting requirements imposed on the bank.  Additionally, Albert accepted cash in amounts greater than $10,000 for the purchase of vehicles from a person who represented that the cash was proceeds of illegal drug trafficking.  Finally, Albert failed to file required forms with the IRS identifying cash receipts in his business in excess of $10,000.   

            Albert is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2019.  As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to the civil forfeiture of over $400,000.

            “Federal financial laws help to ensure that businesses do not engage in money laundering or facilitate other financial crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When those who operate businesses fail to comply with their legal obligations, they face potential criminal prosecution.”

            “Federal laws that regulate the reporting of currency transactions, to include vehicles purchased for cash, are in place to detect and stop illegal activities,” said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Boston Field Office. "Individuals who engage in this type of financial fraud should know they will not go undetected.  We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to hold them accountable."

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Arnold Huftalen.  The civil forfeiture matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck.

            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 - David Nguyen, 37, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

           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 is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2019.

            “Fentanyl trafficking endangers public health and safety in Manchester and other communities throughout the State of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation S.O.S., we are working with the Manchester Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Hillsborough County to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for selling this deadly drug.”

            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 - Two national pharmacy chains agreed to pay civil monetary penalties to resolve allegations that they violated the Controlled Substances Act by filling fraudulent prescriptions, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. 

            Pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreements, New Albertsons, L.P., d/b/a Osco Pharmacy agreed to pay $30,000 to resolve allegations that it had filled 13 fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances at its location in Stratham between December 1, 2013, and July 31, 2014.  Additionally, Maxi Drug North, Inc., d/b/a Rite Aid agreed to pay a penalty of $22,500 to resolve allegations that it had filled 15 fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances at its location in Concord between December 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014.            

              The Controlled Substances Act prohibits the distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance without a valid prescription.  A valid prescription for a controlled substance must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her practice. The investigations in both cases indicated that pharmacists at the pharmacies should have known that patients had presented fraudulent prescriptions that should not have been filled. 

            In entering into these civil settlements, both companies denied liability.  Both companies also cooperated with the government’s investigations.

            “Pharmacies and health care professionals must comply with their legal obligations in order to ensure that controlled substances do not end up in the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “When businesses or individuals fail to fulfill these obligations, drugs can be diverted into the black market or otherwise misused.  We will not hesitate to use federal enforcement tools to ensure that members of the health care industry follow the law.”        

            “DEA registrants like Osco and Rite Aid have a corresponding responsibility to dispense controlled substances in accordance with the Controlled Substances Act.  When these responsibilities are not adhered to it allows for the diversion of prescription pain medication which contributes to the widespread abuse of opiates that are devastating our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s settlements demonstrate DEA’s commitment to improve public safety and public health in New Hampshire.”

            These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Diversion Control Division. The cases were handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael McCormack.

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A federal grand jury sitting in Concord, New Hampshire, returned an indictment charging Walter Rodriguez with three counts of filing false tax returns, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and United States Attorney Scott W. Murray for the District of New Hampshire.

According to the indictment, from at least 2011 through 2013, Rodriguez owned and operated a drywall business in Manchester, New Hampshire, under the name Walter Rodriguez Drywall and Finish. Rodriguez’s drywall business allegedly performed work for large construction companies located in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and other states. The indictment charges that the construction companies typically issued Forms 1099 to Rodriguez’s business for payments made to Rodriguez, or to his drywall business, during each of the relevant years. In addition to these payments reported to the Internal Revenue Service, the construction companies allegedly paid Rodriguez by checks issued in the names of fictitious or fraudulent identities. Rodriguez is alleged to have cashed or caused to have cashed these checks at commercial check cashers in the New Hampshire and Massachusetts area. The indictment charges that Rodriguez filed false tax returns that underreported the total gross receipts of his business.

If convicted, Rodriguez face a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each false tax return count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. 

An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by special agents of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Tax Division Trial Attorney Brittney Campbell and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Kinsella are prosecuting the case. 

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

           CONCORD, N.H. – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that on Thursday a federal jury found Nelson Alexander Fuentes-Lopez, 32, a citizen of Guatemala, guilty of reentering the United States after having been previously deported.            

          According to trial exhibits and witness testimony during the two-day jury trial, Fuentes-Lopez was found in Seabrook in May of this year when he was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for speeding.

          Fuentes-Lopez was subsequently arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations Officers when it was discovered that he had been deported in July of 2014 after illegally crossing the border in Texas. 

          Fuentes-Lopez was convicted of one count of reentry after deportation.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2019.  U.S. Immigration and customers Enforcement will seek his removal following the service of his sentence.

          “Those who have been deported from the United States must follow the law if they wish to return to this country,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “If they choose to return to the United States unlawfully, they are subject to federal prosecution.”

          “Illegally re-entering the United States after being previously removed from the U.S. is a serious violation of our immigration law”, said Marcos D. Charles, acting Field Office Director U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations, Boston. “When an individual violates these laws, that person shows contempt for our long established immigration system. These actions also disrespect the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have followed the lawful process of entry into our country.”                          

          This matter was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  Assistance also was provided by United States Border Patrol and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon.

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          CONCORD - Shariff Britton, 36, of Jersey City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court to 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.  Upon contact with Britton, the trooper smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed a marijuana “blunt” in plain view in the center console.  During a 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 is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2019.

          “Interstate drug trafficking presents a serious threat to the health and safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “It is imperative that we interrupt the interstate transportation of cocaine and other dangerous drugs. I commend the New Hampshire State Police for their diligence in preventing over a kilogram of cocaine from being distributed.”

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

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          CONCORD - William Charles Pelletier, 36, of Andover, Maine, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for unlawful transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce and simple assault, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 10, 2017, the defendant groped a passenger while aboard an airplane.  On March 13, 2018, the defendant was indicted in the Northern District of Georgia for felony abusive sexual contact for that conduct.  It is unlawful for a person who is under indictment for a felony to transport a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce.  On November 25, 2018, while that charge remained pending and the defendant was on pretrial release, the defendant transported two firearms from Vermont to New Hampshire. 

          Pelletier previously pleaded guilty on March 26, 2019, to charges related to both matters.  He pleaded guilty to simple assault to resolve the Georgia matter. 

          The firearms have been forfeited to the United States.

          “The defendant’s conduct jeopardized public safety in multiple ways,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “First, he assaulted a fellow passenger on an airplane.  Then, although on pretrial release with charges pending, he illegally transported firearms across state lines. Mr. Pelletier’s actions clearly merited the prison sentence imposed by the judge today.”

          “Pelletier believed he could sexually assault a fellow passenger on a flight to Atlanta.  Behavior like this will not be tolerated by the FBI,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.  “This sentence will hopefully send a message that this conduct is unacceptable, and anyone who chooses to act in this manner will be prosecuted.  Citizens deserve to feel protected from sexual assault and should not have to fear this happening to them while traveling.”

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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          CONCORD - William McKnight, 48, of Litchfield, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, from November 7, 2018 to November 19, 2018, members the Nashua Police Department Problem Oriented Policing Unit working in conjunction with members of the Nashua Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Division investigated McKnight for distributing fentanyl in Nashua.  They arranged for a cooperating individual to purchase fentanyl from McKnight on three occasions.

          On January 16, 2019, Nashua Police Department searched McKnight’s apartment and found drug paraphernalia, including a scale, needles, plastic bags and cotton swabs.

          McKnight is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2019.

          “The trafficking of fentanyl has had a devastating impact throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Nashua is located in close proximity to the regional distribution center for this dangerous drug and along with other Hillsborough County communities, has been especially hard hit. Through Operation S.O.S., we are working with Nashua Police to send a message to fentanyl dealers that their dangerous and illegal activities will not be tolerated in New Hampshire.” 

          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 – James Aubin, 46, of Dover, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for committing a bank robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 12, 2018, Aubin entered the Bank of New Hampshire branch on Central Avenue in Dover and demanded money from the teller. The teller gave Aubin a quantity of United States currency. After images from bank surveillance videos were shown on local news outlets, investigators were able to positively identify Aubin as the robber.  After being arrested, Aubin admitted to robbing the bank.

          Aubin previously pleaded guilty on April 23, 2019.  

          “Bank robberies are violent crimes that endanger bank employees, customers and members of the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to deter this conduct and maintain community safety, we are fully prepared to seek prison sentences for bank robbers. Those inclined to steal money by threatening bank tellers should consider the consequences before committing the crime.” 

          "James Aubin told police he 'made a bad decision' when he robbed the Dover branch of Bank of New Hampshire last summer. As a working, middle-aged father, the time to know better was before he terrified a teller into carrying out his demands," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "While today's sentence reflects Mr. Aubin's acceptance of responsibility, it should also teach him there are no excuses that help the innocent traumatized by this inherently violent crime to sleep better at night." 

          This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Dover Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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          CONCORD – Derek Rand, 31, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to 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.

          DEA arrested Rand on December 18, 2018.

          Rand will be sentenced on December 16, 2019.           

          “Fentanyl traffickers make a lethal substance available for purchase in Rochester and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The results have been devastating. In order to stop the flow of fentanyl, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute traffickers.” 

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

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          Concord – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Eduard Amparo, 47, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pled guilty to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.  Amparo is the latest defendant to plead guilty to participating in this substantial drug trafficking case.

          In April of 2018, U.S. Attorney Murray announced that 34 individuals were charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl.  According to court documents and statements made in court, a drug trafficking organization that authorities allege was led by Sergio Martinez employed numerous individuals to sell fentanyl to customers from various New England states, including New Hampshire. Some defendants who worked for the Martinez organization distributed multiple 200-gram bags of fentanyl and returned thousands of dollars in proceeds to the organization daily.

          The following individuals have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. They include:

• Miguel Alvarez, 38, of Haverhill, MA, pled guilty on January 31, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 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;
• 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 September 19, 2019;
• Ramon Gil Huma, 26, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on March 11, 2019. His sentencing is scheduled for November 12, 2019;
• 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 October 9, 2019;
• Jared Ortega-Peguero, 26, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on December 6, 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 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 October 17, 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-Jiminez, 39, of Lawrence, MA, pled guilty on November 29, 2018. His sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2019.

          In addition to the defendants listed above, nine other defendants have pleaded guilty and already have been sentenced. An additional defendant, Fernand Miranda, 24, of Haverhill, MA, is expected to plead guilty.  Four defendants remain fugitives.

          Three other defendants, Sergio Martinez, 29, of Lawrence, MA, Steven Lessard, 32, of Lowell, MA, and Julio Colon, 25, of Lawrence, MA, are scheduled to go to trial on October 1, 2019.  These defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

          “Interstate fentanyl trafficking poses a serious threat to the health and safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will continue to coordinate with our law enforcement partners to dismantle the drug trafficking organizations that are responsible for bringing this deadly drug into the Granite State.”

          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 - Frank E. Styles, Jr., 62, of Exeter, was sentenced to a term of probation for obtaining controlled substances under false pretenses, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today. As a condition of probation, Styles will never seek to have his pharmacist license reinstated. Additionally Styles will pay restitution to Medicare and Rite Aid pharmacy. 

          According to court documents and statements made in court, from at least January 25, 2016, through November 29, 2016, while employed as a pharmacist at a pharmacy in Stratham, New Hampshire, Styles altered various records relating to prescriptions he filled in order to obtain controlled substances. During that time period, Styles altered the records associated with approximately 77 prescriptions in this manner, diverting approximately 564 pills containing controlled substances for his own use.

          Styles previously pleaded guilty on May 24, 2019.  

          “Health care professionals who divert drugs jeopardize patient safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not hesitate to bring criminal charges against those who abuse their positions in the health care profession in order to obtain drugs.”

          “The reckless action by this former pharmacist was not only a crime but a betrayal of the public trust,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Styles accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those individuals who are fueling the opioid crisis.  DEA’s obligation is to improve public safety and public health, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that rules and regulations are followed.”

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.         

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that Samuel F. Baez, 37, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for distributing heroin and possessing heroin with intent to distribute.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between January 10, 2016 and May 6, 2016, an undercover New Hampshire State Police Trooper made five controlled purchases of heroin from Baez at retail stores in Plaistow, New Hampshire.  The defendant brought a young child with him to at least two of the transactions.  When the New Hampshire State Police arrested Baez on June 29, 2016, he was in possession of a distributable amount of heroin.  In total, investigators obtained approximately 100 grams of heroin from Baez during the investigation.

            Baez previously pleaded guilty on July 2, 2018.  

            “Interstate drug trafficking makes lethal substances available for purchase on the streets of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This trade has had a devastating impact on the health and safety of our citizens.  In order to protect the public, we will continue to work closely with the New Hampshire State Police and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and incarcerate those who bring heroin and other deadly drugs into the Granite State.”

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

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            CONCORD - Brian D. Rancourt, 44, of Stewartstown, pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of Suboxone, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 1, 2018, Rancourt sold Suboxone in Stewartstown to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers. 

            Rancourt is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2, 2019.

            “The opioid crisis has been fueled, in part, by those who divert and misuse prescription opioids,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who engage in criminal conduct by selling or diverting opioid medications are endangering public health and will be prosecuted aggressively.”

                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, and the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Rombeau and John S. Davis.         

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            CONCORD, - Glenn Adjutant, 22, of New Hampshire,  pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of Suboxone, Adderall, 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 is scheduled to be sentenced on December 6, 2019.

            “The illegal sale of prescription drugs endangers the health of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who engage in this activity should expect to be investigated, arrested and prosecuted. In order to maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system, we will seek criminal penalties against those who attempt to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses.”  

            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, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Charles Rombeau and John S. Davis. 

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            CONCORD – Israel Perez, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy in a seven-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September, 2018, Perez conspired with other persons to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl as part of a drug trafficking organization.  Investigators made controlled purchases of approximately 250 grams of fentanyl from Perez in Manchester between January and May of 2018.

            Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 6, 2019.     

            Co-defendants Samuel Ramos, Abelino Morales-Padilla, Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, and Karina Reyes previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.                     .

            “Fentanyl traffickers make a lethal substance available for purchase in Manchester and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The results have been devastating. In order to stop the flow of fentanyl, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute traffickers.”

              “Today’s conviction is a positive step in the ongoing battle that we continue fight against the devastation that opioids have on our communities.” said Jason J. Molina Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Boston. “HSI and our state and local partners with support from the U.S. Attorney’s office remain strongly committed to the fight against dealers of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs that have harmed communities throughout New Hampshire.”

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

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            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Keith Baker, 24, of Littleton, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 60 months for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, during an ongoing drug trafficking investigation that included wiretaps of certain telephones, investigators learned that on April 8, 2018, Baker intended to travel from New Hampshire to a location in Massachusetts to purchase fentanyl. The Woodstock, New Hampshire, Police Department later seized approximately 41.3 grams of fentanyl from a vehicle in which the defendant was a passenger. The investigation revealed that from February 23, 2018, and continuing through April 8, 2018, Baker ordered fentanyl from drug distributors in Massachusetts on various occasions. He then redistributed that fentanyl to customers in New Hampshire.

            Baker previously pleaded guilty on March 7, 2019.

            “Fentanyl trafficking has caused grave harm to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners identify, arrest, and prosecute those who bring this deadly substance into the Granite State.”

            “Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Those who distribute fentanyl are endangering the safety of the citizens of New Hampshire.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.”

            The case was a collaborative investigation that involved the Drug Enforcement Administration; 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, Seth R. Aframe and Debra M. Walsh.

            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 - Christopher D. Mann, 35, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 16, 2019, the United States Marshals Service executed an arrest warrant for Mann having violated supervised release from a prior offense. Mann was arrested in a vehicle that was owned by Mann's girlfriend. At the time of the arrest, the deputy Marshal seized a Glock .357 caliber handgun from the passenger seat where Mann had been sitting. In addition, the deputy Marshal seized from Mann's pocket two magazines of ammunition for the handgun that was found on seat.     

            Mann was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of at least one prior felony conviction.

            Mann is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22, 2019.

            “In order to keep our communities safe, federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Thanks to the excellent enforcement work of the U.S. Marshals Service, this convicted felon was disarmed.”  

                This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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            CONCORD – Karina Reyes, 29, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl as part of a seven-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Reyes resided with a drug trafficker in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and sometimes provided translation services for him during telephone conversations about trafficking in fentanyl, including making arrangements for specific drug transactions in New Hampshire.

            Reyes is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22, 2019    

            Co-defendants Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, Samuel Ramos, and Abelino Morales-Padilla previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.                     .

            “Those who participate in the trafficking of fentanyl will be arrested and prosecuted,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “It is vital to the health and safety of the public that we disrupt the distribution of this lethal substance. Law enforcement at all levels is united in the effort to stop traffickers.” 

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

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            CONCORD – Kristina Blake, 29, of Northfield, pleaded guilty in federal court to 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 Blake and Daniel Irving in a vehicle near a convenience store in Concord, New Hampshire.  Officers seized from the vehicle more than five grams of methamphetamine and two firearms.  In addition, drug paraphernalia, including a glass mirror, digital scale, a ledger, syringes and plastic baggies were seized.   

            Blake is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2019.  Irving previously pleaded guilty on July 1, 2019 and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 10, 2019.

           “The distribution of methamphetamine puts public health and safety at great risk,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This is a dangerous drug that should be recognized as a rising threat to our community. In order to deter traffickers, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who are responsible for its sale.”         

            “New Hampshire is being ravaged by a steady influx of illegal and deadly drugs, and today Ms. Blake is finally owning up to her role in contributing to the problem,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively identify and bring to justice those who threaten the health and safety of our neighborhoods.”

          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 - Donald Johnson, 34, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy on August 14, 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced. 

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Johnson was involved with a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and other drugs to various customers in the Nashua, New Hampshire area. Johnson purchased crack cocaine from the organization and re-sold it to his own customers. He also assisted other members of the organization with their distribution activities by, among other things, allowing them to use his residence to meet customers.

            Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19, 2019.

            “Drug trafficking is a serious ongoing detriment to public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Stopping the distribution of crack cocaine and other illegal drugs is a top priority for law enforcement. We will continue to partner with the FBI and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing drugs in the Granite State.”

            “Today’s guilty plea is significant and highlights the FBI’s collaboration with our law enforcement partners in disrupting drug trafficking organizations operating here in the Granite State.  Drug traffickers have no place in our community, and we will continue to aggressively investigate criminal organizations like this one that target our neighborhoods with their drug-related violent activity to ensure they are held accountable,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

                This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force 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 – Enrique Perez, 58, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on August 13, 2019, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 21, 2018, an undercover law enforcement officer placed a call to Perez and made arrangements to purchase fentanyl.  The undercover officer met Perez in a parking lot on Manchester Street and purchased fentanyl from him.

            On February 12, 2019, Perez was arrested after being stopped at a 7-Eleven in Manchester.

            Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19, 2019.

            “The illegal distribution of fentanyl is a menace to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation S.O.S., the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with our law enforcement partners in Hillsborough County to identify and prosecute those who distribute this deadly drug.”

            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. 

            This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police with assistance from the Manchester Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.  

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            CONCORD – Doniel Sackey, 37, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in United States District Court yesterday to possession of fentanyl and crack cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 20, 2018, Manchester Special Investigation Unit, placed a call to Sackey and made arrangements to pick up “1 up and 1 down” (crack and fentanyl/heroin). An undercover officer met Sackey on Granite Street in Manchester and purchased both drugs from the defendant.

            Sackey was arrested on January 10, 2019.

            Sackey is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2019.

            “Through our S.O.S. partnership with the Manchester Police Department, we will continue to bring federal charges against those who are distributing deadly drugs in the Queen City,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who choose to engage in drug trafficking in Manchester should understand that they will be prosecuted in federal court and will be subject to federal penalties for the sale of illegal drugs.”

            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. 

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

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          CONCORD - Jessica M. Teixeira, 41, of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering charges related to a fraudulent investment scheme, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, between December 2015 and November 2017, Teixeira defrauded two New Hampshire investors by selling them a series of securities that she claimed were guaranteed to generate high rates of return.  Teixeira represented herself as a solicitor of high-yield investment funds with connections to investment groups raising funds associated with domestic and foreign real estate developments, who solicited financing through private investors rather than banks.  In fact, Teixeira's claims about being connected to high-level investment groups were false.  The investment contracts and notes she sold were worthless and they generated no returns.  Teixeira simply converted the invested funds to her own personal use and benefit, without returning any of the invested funds.  In total, the Teixeira obtained approximately $296,250 from the two investors. 

          Teixeira, who previously pleaded guilty on March 13, 2019, also was ordered to pay restitution of $296,250 to her victims.            

          “The defendant’s criminal pursuit of self-interest inflicted a substantial loss on two victims” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “She used a series of false promises to take advantage of her victims and steal their funds.  Those who engage in this type of scheme should understand that they will face substantial prison sentences because federal law enforcement agencies are working together to identify and prosecute those who commit financial fraud.”

          “Much like a house of cards, this investment scheme wasn’t built on a solid foundation of integrity and honesty,” said Special Agent in Charge Kristina O’Connell, of IRS Criminal Investigations in Boston.  “The sentence imposed today should serve as a clear warning - those who defraud investors of their hard-earned money will ultimately be held accountable.” 

          “Jessica Teixeira took advantage of innocent investors by knowingly and wittingly creating a fraudulent investment scheme for her own personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta of the FBI Boston Division. “With today’s sentence, she is finally held accountable for her criminal conduct and the FBI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to find fraudsters like her and hold them accountable.”

          This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis and Anna Dronzek.

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            CONCORD - Spencer O. Katsohis, 27, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to 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 October 3, 2018, members of the Nashua Police stopped a vehicle, driven by Katsohis, for traffic violations.  During the traffic stop, officers recovered over 15 grams of fentanyl.  Katsohis was arrested and admitted to knowingly distributing fentanyl.

            On January 30, 2019, Katsohis was arrested at his home and officers recovered additional fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.    

            Katsohis is scheduled to be sentenced on November 12, 2019.

            “Even small amounts of fentanyl can be lethal,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Fentanyl traffickers have caused great harm to the health and safety of New Hampshire citizens.  Through Operation S.O.S., we are working in close partnership with our local law enforcement colleagues to identify and prosecute those who are distributing this deadly drug in the Granite State.”

            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. 

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

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CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray will join law enforcement, community leaders and residents on Tuesday, August 6th at Rollins Park, Concord from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm to celebrate the 36th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.

            National Night Out is a community-building and crime prevention campaign that promotes collaborative law enforcement-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Thousands of communities nationwide will participate in neighborhood block parties, festivals, cookouts, safety demonstrations, seminars, and activities that heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anticrime efforts. Events such as these help to strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships, and demonstrate a shared commitment for strong and safe communities. 

            “For 36 years, National Night Out has rallied neighborhood residents, law enforcement and community leaders in the common goal of strengthening relationships to help prevent and deter crime in our local community.  I am proud to stand with my colleagues and my neighbors to support safer streets and work together to drive out crime,” said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray.

            This year, National Night Out events will be held in several communities throughout New Hampshire.  Registered events will take place in Auburn, Bedford, Belmont, Campton, Concord, Deerfield, Derry, Dover, Exeter, Gilford, Goffstown, Greenland, Hooksett, Hudson, Laconia, Lebanon, Lincoln, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, Northfield, Northwood, Pittsfield, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rochester, Salem, Seabrook, Somersworth, Stratham, Thornton, Tuftonboro, Waterville Valley and Woodstock.  For more information about National Night Out, visit their website www.natw.org.

            National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Tuesday.

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            CONCORD - Joshua Hooper, 36, of Manchester, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for being a felon in possession of 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 Hooper was selling firearms. At the time, Hooper was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of at least one prior felony conviction. On July 15, 2017, Hooper possessed a Noveski Rifleworks, Model N4, lower receiver, and sold that firearm to another individual. On March 23, 2018, law enforcement officers obtained a search warrant for Hooper’s residence. While executing the search warrant, officers recovered a large quantity of ammunition and other firearm accessories.            

            Hooper previously pleaded guilty on May 2, 2019.

           “Convicted felons who violate federal law by possessing firearms should expect to spend time in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Working through Project Safe Neighborhoods, we coordinate with ATF and our other law enforcement partners to reduce crime by keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals.”

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

            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 - Markis Dickerson, 24, of Berlin, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a prohibited object in prison, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 5, 2019,      Dickerson was an inmate at FCI-Berlin, New Hampshire.  Officers found a knife-like homemade weapon in Dickerson's possession.  The weapon was approximately 5 inches in length.  Inmates are prohibited from possessing weapons in prison.     

            Dickerson is scheduled to be sentenced on November 21, 2019.

            “Armed inmates present an immediate threat to prison staff and the entire prison population,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to maintain the safety of all parties at FCI-Berlin, we will continue to prosecute inmates who possess weapons and other unauthorized items.”

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Prisons - FCI-Berlin.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.        

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          CONCORD – Jose Hiram Martinez Rolon, 27, of Manchester, and Billy Damuel Maldonado Cancel, 26, also of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking charges in a 7-defendant narcotics case, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and September, 2018, Maldonado conspired with other persons to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl as part of the Lucas Rios Drug Trafficking Organization.  Investigators made controlled buys of fentanyl from Maldonado in Manchester on May 14, 2018, June 13, 2018, July 26, 2018, and September 19, 2018, totaling approximately 100 grams. 

          In a separate hearing, Martinez Rolon pleaded guilty to distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  The evidence showed that on November 8, 2018, after an undercover officer arranged a fentanyl deal by telephone with Lucas Rios, Martinez Rolon delivered the drugs to the officer in Manchester and received a payment of $1200 cash.  The quantity of fentanyl was approximately 100 grams.

          Both defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2019.     

         Co-defendants Samuel Ramos and Abelino Morales-Padilla previously pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges in the same case.  

          “The illegal distribution of fentanyl endangers the health and safety of our citizens” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Even a small amount of this drug can be lethal.  In order to stop this deadly trade, we will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute those responsible”. 

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

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          CONCORD - Randy Stevens, 29, of Farmington, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl 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 is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2019.

          “Interstate fentanyl trafficking makes a lethal drug available for sale on the streets of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The results have been devastating to the people of this state. To stop this illegal trade, we will work closely with our law enforcement colleagues to identify, arrest, and prosecute interstate traffickers who bring this drug into the Granite State.”

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

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            CONCORD - Jamie Ervin, 49, of Springfield, Massachusetts was sentenced on Wednesday to 27 months in prison for bank fraud and identity theft, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately September 21, 2017 and January 20, 2018, Ervin entered a number of different bank branches and made a number of withdrawals from at least 14 people’s bank accounts.  For each transaction, Ervin used customers’ bank account numbers and false drivers’ licenses that contained the bank customers’ personal identifying information and Ervin’s photograph.  In total, Ervin withdrew approximately $106,000 and attempted to withdraw an additional $31,200 from other persons’ bank accounts.           

            Ervin previously pleaded guilty on January 19, 2019.         

            “Fraud and identify theft crimes cause serious harm to individuals as well as financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to deter this criminal conduct, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to prosecute fraudsters who commit fraud and identity crimes.”

            This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.         

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            CONCORD - Jeffrey Paul Hatch, 39, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to using a telephone to facilitate drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

            According to court documents and statements made in court, federal, state and local law enforcement officers conducted an investigation in 2017 of fentanyl traffickers, including an individual in Lawrence, Massachusetts who provided quantities of fentanyl to a Manchester-based fentanyl trafficker.  Couriers assisted the Manchester-based trafficker by transporting drugs and money.

            In pleading guilty, Hatch admitted that on July 25, 2017, he used his cellular telephone to arrange to pick up fentanyl from the Massachusetts-based trafficker on behalf of the Manchester-based trafficker.  

           Hatch is scheduled to be sentenced on November 6, 2019.

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, New Hampshire State Police, and Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.           

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            CONCORD - Joseph Buenviaje, 53, of Berlin, was sentenced to serve 40 months for accepting bribes from inmates and providing contraband in prison, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Buenviaje began working as a chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire in 2015.  From April of 2018 until he was caught in November of 2018, Buenviaje smuggled drugs (including Suboxone, synthetic cannabinoids and marijuana) cellular telephones, tobacco, and other contraband into the prison in exchange for bribe payments.  When interviewed by investigators in November 2018, Buenviaje admitted that he had been smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison once or twice per week.  In exchange, Buenviaje received over $52,000 in bribe payments. 

            Buenviaje received the contraband and some of the bribe payments by mail addressed to his ministry.  Buenviaje received Suboxone—an opioid ordinarily prescribed to treat drug addiction—in its original packaging.  Upon receipt, Buenviaje repackaged the drug in cellophane for distribution in the prison.  Buenviaje also received notebooks with drug-soaked pages that he smuggled into the prison.  After smuggling items he received into the prison, Buenviaje placed the contraband in a cabinet in the prison chapel where inmates would later retrieve the items.

            In November 2018, on the day of his arrest, investigators found 111 Suboxone strips, some of which were in Buenviaje’s car and some of which were in Buenviaje’s chaplain office repackaged for distribution.  Investigators also located multiple notebooks that Buenviaje had hidden in a cabinet in his office for an inmate.  Some pages in the notebooks had been soaked with unlawful synthetic cannabinoids, specifically FUB-AMB and 5F-ADB.  These drugs are known to cause serious side effects, including death.

            Buenviaje previously pleaded guilty on April 30, 2019.

            “This defendant’s conduct constituted a massive breach of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The defendant sought to profit from his position as a prison chaplain by smuggling drugs and other contraband into a federal prison.  These reprehensible acts endangered the safety of the inmates and staff at FCI-Berlin.  The defendant deserves the substantial prison sentence that he received for his unlawful and unethical conduct.”

            “While serving in his capacity as a chaplain, Buenviaje was supposed to provide religious counseling to inmates,” said Guido Modano, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office. “Instead, he devised a self-serving scheme to collect bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband, including dangerous drugs, into the prison, and he also utilized the prison chapel to carry out his scheme.  He will fittingly serve time for his actions, which placed inmates, correctional officers, and other prison staff in harm’s way, and threatened the overall security of the prison facility.” 

            This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor.  The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski.

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