District of New Hampshire

Former School Employee Sentenced to 121 Months in Federal Prison for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Student

CONCORD – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jesus Moore, 36, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante to 121 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. Moore previously pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on March 7, 2022, Moore, a basketball coach at Lawrence High School, ordered a rideshare to transport a Lawrence High School student to the Super 8 Motel in Manchester, New Hampshire. Moore also traveled from Massachusetts to the Super 8 Motel. Moore provided the student with alcohol and then engaged in sexual conduct with the student when the student was incapable of consenting.

“Moore abused his position of trust as a teacher and coach to victimize a student,” said United States Attorney Creegan. “Today’s sentence reflects the severity of Moore’s conduct.  Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains dedicated to identifying and prosecuting those who exploit children.”

“Moore grievously abused his position of trust. He transported a child to a motel across state lines, supplied them with alcohol, and committed assault. His actions were calculated and aimed at harming the very students he was entrusted to protect. We work every day with our law enforcement partners to protect children and bring predators like Moore to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations New England.

“This successful investigation and prosecution reflects the critical teamwork between our law enforcement partners and a unified commitment to protecting children, said Chief of Police Peter Marr, Manchester Police Department.  “We take crimes involving the exploitation of minors seriously and will pursue accountability at every level.”

The Department of Homeland Security, the Lawrence Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.

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

Dominican National Sentenced to 28 Months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine in the New Hampshire Seacoast

CONCORD – A citizen of the Dominican Republic, who previously lived in Massachusetts, was sentenced today in federal court for drug trafficking in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Eddy Mendez Carmona, 44, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 28 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  Mendez Carmona previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and one count of distributing controlled substances.  Mendez Carmona will be removed from the United States upon the completion of his prison sentence.  Charges are still pending against two of Mendez Carmona’s co-conspirators, Jose Luis Guerrero Nunez and Juan Carlos De Los Santos Romero. Two other co-conspirators, Carlos Alejandro Chevalier Santos and Luis Guerrero Cabral, have previously pleaded guilty and have been sentenced by the Court.

“Fentanyl and methamphetamine are a scourge on our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan.  “We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those individuals participating in drug trafficking organizations that affect the Granite State.”

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

Mendez Carmona was part of a Methuen-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Seacoast area.  In late 2023, Mendez Carmona made at least three deliveries of controlled substances to undercover law enforcement officers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Seabrook Police Department, Hampton Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Methuen Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Dominican Drug Supplier Operating from Abroad Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy 

CONCORD – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Starlin Alexander Valdez De Los Santos, 35, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for April 16, 2026.

According to the charging documents, pleadings and statements made in court, during the course of the conspiracy, the defendant operated a significant drug distribution network, which involved coordination of suppliers and local distributors over an extended period and utilized sophisticated communication methods to avoid detection, all while residing outside the United States.  The years-long investigation into the defendant’s activities resulted in the total seizure of more than 750 grams of fentanyl during eight undercover purchase operations in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl carries a sentence of not less than five years and up to 40 years’ incarceration, not less than 4 years of supervised release, and a fine up to $5,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Hudson Police Department provided valuable assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic assisted in securing the arrest and extradition of Valdez De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan Confirmed by the U.S. Senate

CONCORD – Last night, the United States Senate voted to confirm President Donald J. Trump’s nominee of United States Attorney Erin Creegan for the District of New Hampshire.

U.S. Attorney Creegan was appointed by U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi to serve as an Interim U.S. Attorney beginning on August 13 of this year. U.S. Attorney Creegan subsequently received an appointment from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire on December 11. She now begins her service as a Senate confirmed Presidential appointee.

“It is the honor of my lifetime to be the chief federal law enforcement officer for the best state in the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “I look forward to working closely with our state and federal partners to interdict drug trafficking, combat violent crime, and dismantle criminal networks. I also look forward to protecting the contributions of the American taxpayer through defensive and affirmative civil litigation. I thank the President, the Attorney General, the Senators, and leaders in state government and the New Hampshire bar, for their support.”

U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, FBI, and ATF Announce Death of the Brown University and MIT Professor Shooter

SALEM, NH – The shooter is deceased and there is no longer a threat to the public. The United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley, the FBI and ATF are holding a press conference tonight at 10:30 p.m. at the U.S. Moakley Courthouse, One Courthouse Way, 9th floor Boston.

The Department of Justice today announced a resolution of a criminal trade fraud investigation into MGI International, LLC and its subsidiaries Global Plastics LLC and Marco Polo International LLC (collectively, MGI), a leading global plastic resin distributor, pursuant to Part I of the Criminal Division’s Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP). The resolution relates to a scheme to falsify Country of Origin declarations to avoid Section 301 duties owed on products of Chinese origin. As part of the resolution with MGI, the department has declined to prosecute MGI and agreed to credit $6.8 million previously paid to resolve MGI’s civil liability under the False Claims Act for knowingly failing to pay customs duties on certain plastic resin imported from China.

Separately, MGI’s former Chief Operating Officer was charged yesterday by criminal information and has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States. According to court documents, in 2021, David Guimond, 48, of Manchester, New Hampshire, instructed subordinates to misrepresent the manufacturer and country of origin on paperwork that was submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in order to avoid paying the required Section 301 duties.

“As this announcement demonstrates, the department will hold to account individuals and corporations who lie to evade tariffs and duties,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This resolution makes clear what the incentives for corporations are to voluntarily self-disclose and remediate identified criminal conduct.”

“David Guimond is charged with lying to avoid paying customs duties to enrich his companies and himself,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Trade fraud deprives the government of revenue and harms American manufacturers. This corporate resolution and plea agreement demonstrate that the Criminal Division will hold accountable those who defraud the public fisc.”

“Our systems of commerce depend on the fair and accurate application of tariffs,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New England. “When bad actors attempt to evade these tariffs, they undermine the integrity of our trade system and disadvantage honest businesses. We are committed to enforcing tariff regulations and will relentlessly pursue those who seek to circumvent them. This company worked with the government to bring past violations to light and cooperated fully with our investigations. Their actions highlight the importance of corporate responsibility and the value of transparent self-disclosure in maintaining the integrity of our tariff enforcement efforts.”

The department resolved its investigation into MGI after considering the factors set forth in the CEP, including (1) MGI’s timely and voluntary self-disclosure of the misconduct; (2) MGI’s full and proactive cooperation in this matter; (3) the nature and seriousness of the offense; (4) MGI’s timely and appropriate remediation, including termination and disciplinary actions against the employees involved in the scheme, an internal review of the misconduct, an internal review of its compliance program and internal controls, a thorough and systematic root-cause analysis and enhancements to its broader compliance program; (5) the absence of aggravating factors that, when weighed against MGI’s cooperation and remediation, warrant a disposition other than a resolution under Part I of the CEP; and (6) the fact that MGI has already repaid the evaded tariffs.

Guimond has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. His change of plea hearing will be scheduled by a federal district court judge.

HSI is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Jennifer Bilinkas and Siji Moore of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasir Sadat for the District of New Hampshire are prosecuting the case.

These actions were coordinated through the Department of Justice Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort involving the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, the Civil Division, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Criminal Division, in coordination with the Task Force, leverages all the department’s tools and authorities to fight fraud on the federal government and recover funds for the public fisc.

Honduran Man Indicted for Possessing Fraudulent Green Card

CONCORD – A Honduran man has been indicted for possessing a fraudulent immigration document after being encountered by U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Hector Ariel Ortiz-Guillen, 26, was charged with one count of knowingly possessing a fraudulent or forged Permanent Resident card.  According to the charging documents and other publicly filed documents in the case, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Ortiz-Guillen during a traffic stop on December 5, 2025.  Ortiz-Guillen is a citizen of Honduras and was not legally present in the United States. During processing at the U.S. Border Patrol station, he was found to be in possession of a forged or fraudulent Legal Permanent Resident card bearing his own photograph but the alien number of a different person, among other irregularities.

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

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and up to 3 years of supervised release.  Ortiz-Guillen is also subject to removal from the United States. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The investigation was led by the United States Border Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. 

Dominican National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl

CONCORD – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Marcos Alcantara Hernandez, 30, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled Hernandez’s sentencing for April 6, 2026.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in May 2021, Hernandez conspired with Kevin Rodriguez and others to sell approximately 500 grams of fentanyl to a customer in New Hampshire. On May 19, 2021, a DEA cooperating source (“CS”) negotiated the sale of fentanyl with an individual the CS knew as “NH Dude.” After the CS and “NH Dude” reached an agreement on the quantity, price, and location of the sale, Hernandez coordinated with Rodriguez and others to obtain the drugs from a supplier. After Rodriguez obtained the fentanyl, Hernandez texted Rodriguez the meet location in Portsmouth and followed Rodriguez to New Hampshire where Rodriguez sold the drugs to the CS.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance carries a sentence of up to 20 years’ incarceration, not less than 3 years of supervised released, and a fine up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Keene Man Sentenced to 36-Months Imprisonment for Child Exploitation Offense

CONCORD – U.S. District Judge Steven McAuliffe sentenced a Keene man to 36 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Connor Mueller, 31, had previously pleaded guilty to possessing CSAM. In 2023, an undercover law enforcement operation identified Mueller as using specialized peer-to-peer software to receive videos containing CSAM. The same software allowed other users to access materials shared by Mueller. Law enforcement subsequently searched Mueller’s home and discovered multiple devices which together contained numerous images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Keene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Mexican National Sentenced to 60 Months For Transporting 
Child Sexual Abuse Material from Canada into the United States

CONCORD – A Mexican national who illegally crossed into New Hampshire while transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jose Rodriguez-Garcia, 27, previously pleaded guilty to one count of transporting CSAM. Rodriguez-Garcia has been in custody since his arrest in the early morning hours on June 6, 2024.  According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Rodriguez-Garcia and another man were observed by U.S. Border Patrol after having apparently just crossed from Canada into New Hampshire over Hall Stream.  The men were detained and brought to the Beecher Falls Border Station for processing. At that point, a search of Rodriguez-Garcia’s person and effects yielded several electronic media, including a thumb drive on which depictions of apparent CSAM were found.

U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty imposed the sentence.  The Court also ordered $6,000 in restitution.  

“The defendant illegally entered the United States by crossing from Canada while travelling with a substantial cache of CSAM that documented the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable children,” said United States Attorney Creegan. “Mr. Rodriguez-Garcia’s CSAM collection was among the few possessions he carried with him into New Hampshire and serves as a reminder of the international market for CSAM.”

“Rodriguez-Garcia held no regard for our laws. He not only crossed into New Hampshire illegally, he carried with him deeply disturbing images of the sexual abuse of children. Today’s sentence is the result of the vigilance of our partners in the Border Patrol and the work of our special agents to ensure that those who bring child exploitation materials into our country are identified, apprehended, and held fully accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations within the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.  

Telehealth Company Agrees to Pay $300,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations

CONCORD –U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire has entered into a settlement agreement with LifeWorks Counseling Associates, PLLC and its owner Dr. David Ferruolo where they will pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by improperly billing Medicaid for services provided by an individual excluded from the Medicaid program.

No program payments may be made for services furnished by an individual excluded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”).  HHS-OIG has advised health care providers to check the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities on the HHS-OIG web site (http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions) in order to avoid potential liability.

LifeWorks is telehealth mental health provider based in New Hampshire. The United States contended that Ferruolo and LifeWorks submitted claims and received reimbursement from Medicaid for services provided by Erik Alonso, who was excluded from federal health care programs by HHS-OIG at the time such services were provided, which were therefore not reimbursable.  To resolve their liability, Ferruolo and his company will pay $300,000. The settlement amount is based on their ability to pay.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, also handled the criminal prosecution of Erik Alonso, who pleaded to one count of healthcare fraud on October 23, 2025. LifeWorks and Ferullo fully cooperated in the parallel criminal investigation.

U.S. Attorney Creegan said, “A provider is federally excluded from being paid to give heathcare for good reasons, such as prior fraud, criminal convictions, or patient abuse.  To protect the public, we will hold accountable those who violate healthcare exclusions.”

“The exclusion authority is a cornerstone of our efforts to protect federal health care programs from fraud and abuse,” said Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “When providers submit claims to the Medicaid program for services rendered by excluded individuals, they violate a fundamental safeguard designed to ensure program integrity. This settlement sends a clear message: we will hold providers accountable when they fail to comply with exclusion rules.”

“This settlement should put others on notice that exploiting federally funded health care programs will not be tolerated and those who engage in this type of activity will be identified and held accountable,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to protect taxpayers’ resources from those who would take advantage of such programs for their own greed.”

This case was investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI. The case was handled by Civil Chief Raphael Katz.  There was no admission of liability.

Epping Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Purchasing Live-Streamed Child Sex Abuse Material

CONCORD – David Mendum, 46, of Harrisville, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his conduct involving the sexual exploitation of minors, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

On December 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro sentenced Mendum on one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity, to 324 months’ imprisonment. The Court also sentenced Mendum to 5 years of federal supervision following his release from prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mendum was paying a child sex trafficker in the Philippines to create live-stream child sexual abuse material and transmit it to him over the internet. 

“Today’s sentence reflects the profound seriousness of this crime,” said United States Attorney Creegan. “By paying to watch the live-streamed sexual abuse of children, the defendant fueled the exploitation of the most vulnerable victims. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will seek to hold those accountable those who finance and direct the sexual abuse of children.”

“Over the course of years, Mendum paid child traffickers in the Philippines so he could watch and direct the sexual abuse of children. He did this hundreds of times, paying over $39,000. The depravity and scope of this crime are beyond comprehension. Yet our investigators and partners pursued a global investigation to identify and bring Mendum to justice for his irreparable abuse of children,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “Today’s sentence shows just how seriously we take these crimes. We can’t give back the years stolen from the children he victimized, but with every predator we bring to justice, we gain critical intelligence and move one step closer to stopping other offenders like him.”

The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Epping Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from White Mountain Trail Collective

CONCORD – The former executive director of the White Mountain Trail Collective has pleaded guilty to embezzlement of funds from the organization, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Melanie Luce, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an organization receiving federal funds.  According to the charging documents and statements made in court,  Luce served as the Executive Director of the White Mountain Trail Collective from 2019 through 2021.  The Collective was a non-profit organization that was funded in part by contributions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to aid in the objective of supporting the trails systems in the White Mountains.  Luce embezzled funds through various means including by making unauthorized bank transfers to herself in excess of her approved salary, obtaining and utilizing an unauthorized corporate credit card to transfer funds to a web services company she owned and for personal expenses, and obtaining a loan via a forged corporate resolution.  All told, Ms. Luce embezzled some $91,000 directly from the Trail Collective and caused additional losses of approximately $58,000 to bank that issued the credit card and $44,000 to the lender who provided the loan.  As part of her resolution, Luce has agreed to pay restitution to those victims.

The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 years imprisonment. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.  The Court scheduled sentencing in this matter for March 23, 2026.

The investigation was led by the United States Departure of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. 

Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct

CONCORD – A Bradford, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty yesterday to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Arthur Picanco, 43, of Bradford, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for March 9, 2026.   

On November 14, 2024, in a proactive law enforcement operation, agents posted and monitored an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex. The advertisement contained images of what appeared to be two minor females, and a contact phone number. Law enforcement agents monitored the phone line and used it to communicate with potential sex buyers, including Picanco. Picanco arranged to pay $100 to have sex with who Picanco believed to be a 14-year-old girl. The undercover agent then provided Picanco with the address of a hotel in Manchester and Picanco traveled from Massachusetts to New Hampshire to the hotel. Once at the hotel, Picanco confirmed he had the cash and wanted to go up to the hotel room to meet the 14-year-old girl. When police arrested Picanco, they found that he had a condom and over $100 in cash in his pocket.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski, Matthew Vicinanzo, and Alex Chen are prosecuting the case.

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

Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

CONCORD – Jeison Eulogio Dume-Calderone, 28, formerly of Boston, pleaded guilty to distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and 400 grams of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in March 2023, Dume-Calderone sold a total of 667 grams of methamphetamine to a United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confidential source in Seabrook, New Hampshire. Later the same month, DEA agents arrested Dume-Calderone after he sold approximately 8.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 498 grams of fentanyl to the same confidential source at a different Seabrook location.

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment on March 26, 2025. Dume-Calderone remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his sentencing. The charges carry a maximum term of life. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.  The Court scheduled sentencing in this matter for March 12, 2026. The Department of Homeland Security has determined that Dume-Calderon is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who is present in the United States unlawfully.

“Today’s guilty plea underscores our office’s commitment to combatting the flow of methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities. This defendant chose to traffic in highly addictive and dangerous drugs and now will be held accountable. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to protect the public and dismantle drug trafficking networks,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan.

“The state of New Hampshire continues to be faced with a drug crisis unlike ever before and the DEA stands committed to work to keep highly addictive drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine out of the Granite State,” said Jarod Forget, DEA Special Agent in Charge, New England Field Division.  “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs and contributing to the loss of life for those battling addiction need to be held responsible for their actions. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute these poisons.”

The investigation was led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennfer C. Davis is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Vermont Man Pleads Guilty To Failure To Register As A Sex Offender

CONCORD – A Vermont man pleaded guilty today in federal court for his failure to register as a sex offender as required by the federal Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

David Courtemarche, age 45, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to register as a sex offender. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled Courtemarche’s sentencing for March 2, 2026.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in 2003 the defendant was convicted in Vermont of sexual assault involving a victim under 16 years of age. Due to this conviction, SORNA and related state laws required the defendant to register in each state where he resides or is employed. SORNA gives an individual three days in which to register. The defendant’s Vermont registration paperwork notified him of these requirements and the defendant claimed he lived in Vermont. However, by at least August of 2022, he began working in New Hampshire and, by at least November 2023, he began living in New Hampshire. Though the defendant lived and worked in New Hampshire and knew that state and federal law required him to register as a sex offender in New Hampshire, he did not do so.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The United States Marshals Service investigated this case. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police, the Littleton Police Department, and the Lancaster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter is prosecuting the case.

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

Ex-Felon Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Bribe ICE Officer

CONCORD – A native of the Dominican Republic who was facing deportation pleaded guilty to attempting to bribe a law enforcement officer to secure his release from custody, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

On November 5, 2025, Marlon Aramis Suazo-Santos, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to bribe a public official.  According to the charging documents and statements made in court, U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (“ICE”) personnel transported Suazo-Santos from Berlin to Manchester on July 18, 2025.  Suazo-Santos was completing a term of incarceration resulting from a 2020 federal conviction and was subject to removal to the Dominican Republic.  While he was being transported to ICE’s Manchester facility, Suazo-Santos offered $100,000 to the ICE officer in exchange for his release.  The ICE officer promptly reported the bribe offer to other Homeland Security personnel, and the transport vehicle was equipped with an electronic audio recording device.  That same day, while the same ICE officer transported Suazo-Santos to a local detention facility, Suazo-Santos made additional inculpatory statements regarding the bribe to secure his release which were recorded.

Suazo-Santos remained in ICE custody until he was arrested on a criminal complaint on August 15.  A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment on September 3, 2025.  Suazo-Santos remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals pending his sentencing.

The charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 15 years imprisonment. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.  The Court scheduled sentencing in this matter for February 11, 2026.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations within the United States Department of Homeland Security.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. 

Andover Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for

Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

CONCORD – Dale Howe, 37, of Andover, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his production and possession of child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

On November 10, 2025, the U.S. District Judge Paul J. Barbadoro sentenced Mr. Howe on three counts of production of child sexual abuse material to 324 months’ imprisonment, and one count of possession of child pornography to 120 months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently. The Court also sentenced Mr. Howe to 10 years of federal supervision following his release from prison.

“Exploiting and abusing vulnerable children, and then documenting that abuse, is among the most serious crimes we prosecute,” said United States Attorney Creegan. “Mr. Howe’s extreme conduct fully warranted the significant sentence imposed. Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in identifying and prosecuting those who prey upon children for their own gratification.”

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Mr. Howe sexually assaulted a minor victim, providing the minor victim with drugs during the course of the abuse. The defendant created images of the sexual abuse, which were found during a search of his phone. The defendant distributed some of the sexual abuse images through the internet. The defendant also possessed more than 3,500 files of unrelated child sexual abuse material.

“The scope of Howe’s crimes is staggering and deeply troubling. He not only possessed child sexual abuse materials but became a hands-on offender, drugging and assaulting a child. The horrific abuse Howe inflicted upon his victim cannot be undone, but this sentence puts Howe behind bars and away from children for over a decade. We hope that this significant sentence brings some measure of justice to those who have been impacted by his crimes,” said Michael J. Krol from Homeland Security Investigations New England.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Andover Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children, and the Derry Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather Cherniske and Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. 

Twelve Defendants Convicted in Cross-State Social Media Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

CONCORD – Twelve individuals have pleaded guilty over the last eight months in federal court for their participation in a social media-facilitated drug trafficking ring that distributed deadly fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine across New Hampshire and Maine, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jacob D. King, 41, of Milton, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2026.

Riley J. Paletta, 26, of Hudson, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is pending.

Amanda E. Gray a/k/a Amanda E. Camera a/k/a Amanda E. Douglass, 39, of Fairfield, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2026.

Benjamin M. Fields, 41, of Laconia, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2026.

John N. Titus, 35, of Farmington, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2026.

Christian F. Gerlach, 52, of Manchester, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 13, 2026.

Moses J. Losuk, 28, of Portland, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentencing is scheduled for December 15, 2025.

Timothy E. Boston a/k/a Timothy Earl Boston II, 38, of Nashua, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante sentenced Boston to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release.

Robert A. Arrington, 38, of Bangor, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2025.

Robert W. Whiteside Jr., 46, of Exeter, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is scheduled for January 5, 2026.

William L. Wheelock, 34, of Windham, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante sentenced Wheelock to 50 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.

Alexander L. Wilson, 38, of Belfast, Maine, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.  Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2025.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2023, law enforcement officers received information that a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts, was trafficking narcotics to customers in New Hampshire and Maine using text messages and social media messaging apps. From the fall of 2023 into the spring of 2024, law enforcement officers made a series of controlled drug purchases and conducted searches of residences utilized by the DTO that resulted in seizures of approximately two and a half kilograms of fentanyl, 250 grams of methamphetamine and 28 grams of cocaine, and the recovery of handguns.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers conducted additional enforcement operations, including searches of the DTO’s social media platforms and conducted searches of vehicles and residences that indicated the DTO trafficked in an additional 20 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of methamphetamine and 200 grams of cocaine.  Six DTO drug customers also sought to trade firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns for narcotics.

With respect to King, Gray, and Fields, the charging statute provides for a sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.  With respect to the others, the charging statute provides for a sentence of not more than 20 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Hudson Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Laconia Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

Federal Jury Convicts Former Childcare Provider

of the Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

CONCORD – Krystal Baird, 40, of Keene, was convicted after a five-day trial in U.S. District Court of aiding and abetting the production of child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

United States District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled the sentencing hearing for February 11, 2026. The conviction subjects Krystal Baird to a statutory minimum penalty of 15 years and a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, followed by a period of supervised release upon completion of her prison term. Krystal Baird has been in federal custody since March of 2024.

According to the evidence admitted at trial, on January 29, 2024, Krystal and Paul Baird were babysitting a 9-year-old child. After the child was given THC-infused candy, Krystal Baird directed Paul Baird to try to get the child to play with his genitalia. Paul Baird took at least one sexually explicit image of the victim’s genitalia. Krystal Baird then photographed Paul Baird sexually assaulting the victim, thus producing child sexual abuse material. Paul Baird later uploaded links to three sexually explicit images of the minor victim on a dark website dedicated to child pornography. The evidence showed that the couple had been drugging and abusing the victim since at least August of 2023.

Before her arrest, Krystal Baird was a licensed childcare provider.

The Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. The Keene Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Heather Cherniske prosecuted the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. 

Farmington Man Sentenced to Five Years for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Several Hundred Rounds of Ammunition

CONCORD – A Farmington man was sentenced on October 27, 2025, in federal court for unlawfully possessing a firearm and 238 rounds of ammunition, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Anthony Cook, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott to 60 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On May 29, 2025, Cook pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon.

“Despite being a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, the defendant chose to arm himself with a gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “This kind of deliberate disregard for the law poses a real danger to our communities. Our office will continue to pursue significant consequences for felons who unlawfully possess firearms and threaten public safety.”

“ATF enforcement operations prioritize habitual offenders,” said ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Greco.  “A recidivist who seeks out a firearm while using controlled substances poses an immediate and obvious danger to public safety.  This sentence reflects the seriousness of that risk.”

According to the plea agreement and public record, Cook was previously sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment in federal court for firearms and drug offenses. After Cook’s release from custody, he was placed on supervised release.  On September 1, 2024, Cook’s federal probation officer searched him and his house after receiving a report Cook had a firearm.  The search uncovered a pistol, 238 rounds of ammunition, a small amount of cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms led the investigation.  U.S. Probation and the U.S. Marshals provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty to Health Care Fraud Scheme in New Hampshire

CONCORD – A Florida man pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud for causing psychotherapy sessions to be fraudulently billed to New Hampshire Medicaid.

According to court documents, Erik X. Alonso, 55, of Miami, Florida, was previously convicted in 2015 of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and related offenses in the Southern District of Florida. The Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), maintained an Exclusion List that identified individuals who could not receive payment from federal health care programs, including Medicaid. As a result of his conviction, Alonso, a psychotherapist, was placed on the Exclusion List.

According to court documents, in March 2022, Alonso began working for a telehealth mental health provider based in New Hampshire, through which he provided services billed to New Hampshire Medicaid patients despite knowing he was on the Exclusion List. Alonso also caused the provider to submit claims to New Hampshire Medicaid for counseling services that were not provided as represented, including in instances in which Alonso requested – and later received – a patient’s assistance with personal tasks like preparing a presidential pardon for Alonso’s 2015 health care fraud conviction and various medical licensure documents. As a result of the scheme, Alonso admitted that he caused New Hampshire Medicaid to pay approximately $173,998.83 based on false and fraudulent claims.

Alonso pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 28, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan for the District of New Hampshire, Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello of HHS-OIG, and Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI Boston Field Office made the announcement.

HHS-OIG and the FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Thomas D. Campbell, John W. Howard, and Danielle H. Sakowski of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo of the District of New Hampshire are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Manchester Man Indicted for Unlicensed Firearms Dealing and Defrauding His Employer

CONCORD – A Manchester man was indicted for dealing firearms without a license and defrauding his employer, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Patrick Goulet, 34, was charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of dealing in firearms without a license.

According to the indictment, Goulet worked for a New Hampshire-based firearms manufacturer which offered its employees the opportunity to purchase a limited number of firearms and firearms accessories at a large discount.  Employees could also gift the discount to a friend or family member.  However, the manufacturer prohibited its employees from selling or otherwise using the discount for personal profit.

Goulet used social media platforms such as Facebook to locate persons interested in buying discounted firearms.  Goulet charged his customers for access to the discounted firearms.  Because Goulet quickly used up his own allotted number of discounted purchases, he used the names and company identification numbers of his co-workers to fulfill order requests.  Between August 2021 and June 2024 alone, Goulet facilitated the sale of several hundred discounted firearms and firearms accessories.

The charging statute for wire fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of twice the gross gain or loss.  The charging statute for firearms dealing without a license provides a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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

Bath Man Indicted for Stealing Approximately $225,000 From an Elderly Disabled Veteran

CONCORD – A Bath man was indicted for stealing approximately $225,000 from an elderly disabled veteran, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Donald Estes, 49, was charged with four counts of Bank Fraud and four counts of Mail Fraud.

According to the indictment, the victim was disabled and unable to independently manage his money or make decisions.  The victim lived at a nursing home and received monthly disability payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

On July 21, 2020, the victim’s nursing home contacted Estes asking whether he would serve as the victim’s legal guardian.  Estes never applied to become the guardian.  Instead, Estes had the victim sign an agreement granting Estes access to the victim’s bank account.  Over the next few years, Estes took approximately $225,000 from the victim and used the money on personal purchases.

The charging statute for bank fraud provides a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million.  The charging statute for mail fraud provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

Manchester Man Sentenced to 80 Months in Federal Prison

for Operating Counterfeit Pill Lab

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced on October 21, 2025 in federal court for operating a counterfeit pill laboratory, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jerry Summers, age 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 80 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In April 2025, Summers pleaded guilty to a six-count Information charging him with manufacturing controlled substances; possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; distributing 40 or more grams of fentanyl and methamphetamine; and trafficking in a drug and knowingly using a counterfeit mark on or in connection with the drug.

“The illegal production and distribution of counterfeit prescription pills, particularly those tainted with lethal drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine, have devastated families and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Our office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and dismantle the operations of pill manufacturers like Mr. Summers who profit from poisoning the public.”

“The state of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl crisis unlike ever before,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) New England Field Division. “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl in the form of counterfeit prescription pills to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA will aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

According to the charging documents and plea agreement, in January 2023, the DEA and the Manchester, New Hampshire Police Department (“MPD”), began investigating the defendant for using an office suite in Manchester to manufacture counterfeit pills marked as OxyContin and Adderall but which actually contained fentanyl and methamphetamine, respectively. Investigators developed a confidential source who bought hundreds of blue fentanyl and orange methamphetamine pills from the defendant during controlled buys in March and April, 2024.

Investigators applied for and received a federal search warrant for an office suite registered to the defendant’s drywall business. Prior to the search, investigators arrested the defendant following a traffic stop where the defendant admitted to his primary participation and sole responsibility in operating the pill-pressing scheme.

While searching the defendant’s office suite, the DEA’s Clandestine Laboratory Team found an industrial-grade mechanical pill press covered in a powdered residue and wrapped in foam soundproofing material, which was used to conceal its sound and avoid detection. Also inside the defendant’s office suite were dozens of kilograms of various powders used for making pills; a vacuum sealing device; dozens of punch and die sets; packaging material; and approximately 20,000 pressed pills, many of which were consistent with the orange and blue pills that the defendant sold during the controlled buys. DEA tested some of the pills and powders recovered from the defendant’s office suite, which were found to contain more than 12 pounds of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine (5,651.35 grams) and almost three pounds of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl (1,259.64 grams).         

The DEA led the investigation. MPD provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon prosecuted the case.

Manchester Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Defrauding Dozens of Victims of More Than $3 Million

CONCORD – A Manchester woman was sentenced on October 15, 2025 federal court in Concord for operating a fraudulent real estate investment scheme that defrauded investors out of more than $3 million, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Robynne Alexander, age 63, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 30 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,873,000 in restitution.  Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on July 16, 2025.

“Robynne Alexander exploited the trust of her clients and stole millions of dollars to fund her own lifestyle and conceal her fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Financial crimes like this devastate victims and undermine confidence in legitimate investment opportunities. This sentence holds her accountable for her deception and demonstrates our commitment to protecting the public from those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.”

“Robynne Alexander actively led clients to believe they were investing responsibly, when in reality she pocketed their money to pay off her personal debts and legal bills from other investors,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “As her lies continued and the losses mounted, she engaged in a cover-up, trying to conceal the staggering fraud. Schemes like this can be simply devastating for victim investors. That’s why the FBI is committed to bringing financial fraud to light and perpetrators like Ms. Alexander to justice. We’d like to thank the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation for their partnership on this case.”

Beginning in 2018, Alexander, previously a real estate investment coach, began raising funds from her coaching clients for a New England real estate venture, Raxx‑LeMay, LLC. Despite promising to acquire and renovate two commercial properties in Manchester, NH, she raised only $700K of the $2M minimum required by the May 2018 deadline. Nevertheless, she completed the purchase in July 2018 using expensive hard‑money loans and improperly diverted investor funds—initially intended to be held until the $2M threshold was met—to other entities she controlled, to repay outside investors, and to fund additional projects.

Over the next few years, Alexander used investor capital across multiple projects without proper authority or disclosure. She transferred the Raxx‑LeMay properties to a new entity she controlled in early 2022, despite lacking investor approval, leaving Raxx‑LeMay with no assets and investors with total losses of about $850,000. In a separate project, Elm and Baker, LLC, Alexander solicited $750,000 to convert a Manchester property to apartments but diverted more than half to repay unrelated investors and personal loans, culminating in foreclosure in 2023. Similarly, in late 2022 she solicited funds for a large‑scale resort project in Laconia, NH, receiving $250,000 toward the purchase before misappropriating at least $75,000 and ultimately failing to close, causing the project to dissolve. Across at least eight ventures, the defendant defrauded at least 24 investors of more than $3 million.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  The Securities and Exchange Commission and the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney John J. Kennedy prosecuted the case. 

Dover Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for

Stalking Three Women for Multiple Years

CONCORD – A Dover man was sentenced on October 14, 2025 in federal court in Concord for stalking three women he was in intimate relationships with over a period of five years by using anonymous phone numbers and email accounts to create a fictious stalker, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jason Subirana, age 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 41 months in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $15,000 fine, and ordered to pay $12,110.82 in restitution. Subirana pleaded guilty to three counts of cyberstalking on May 20, 2025.

“For five years, this defendant weaponized personal relationships to inflict fear, humiliation, and emotional harm on his victims,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Cyberstalking is not a crime that happens only online—it causes lasting damage in the real world. This sentence holds the defendant accountable for his campaign of intimidation and demonstrates our commitment to protecting victims from those who misuse technology to harass and control others.”

“What Jason Subirana did was simply outrageous and now he’ll pay a hefty price for his crimes,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Mr. Subirana engaged in a five-year cyberstalking campaign during which he betrayed the trust of his victims and inflicted significant and lasting emotional harm. This sentence holds him accountable for using today’s technology in such a despicable way.”

Between November 2016 - December 2021, the defendant stalked three women he was in close personal relationships with. He used more than 50 anonymous phone numbers, provided by TextNow, and anonymous email accounts to send over 650 harassing messages to the three victims from a fictious stalker. He attempted to manipulate his victims and cause emotional distress.

In addition to sending harassing communications to the victims, the defendant also sent himself harassing messages from the fictious stalker using anonymous accounts. The defendant collected compromising information about the victims and then sent the compromising information to himself under the guise that he received it from “the stalker.” The defendant then actively distanced himself from “the stalker” by accusing innocent individuals of being his victim’s “stalker.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S Attorney John Kennedy prosecuted the case. 

Hinsdale Man Indicted for Stealing Approximately $345,000 From His Employer

CONCORD – A Hinsdale man was indicted for embezzling almost $345,000 from his employer, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Michael Darcy, 48, was charged with five counts of Bank Fraud.

According to the indictment, Darcy was the Operations Manager for his employer.  As Operations Manager, Darcy oversaw the day-to-day work of the company and had access to the company checkbook. Beginning in December 2019, and continuing through December 2024, Darcy forged the owner’s signature to draft dozens of unauthorized checks on the company’s checking account.  Darcy concealed the purpose of the payments by entering them under false headings in accounting records.  He sometimes also listed false entries in the memo line on the checks.  For example, on December 7, 2023, Darcy drafted a $5,722 check payable to himself for “Stamps.”  Overall, Darcy is alleged to have embezzled $344,874.47 from his employer.

The charging statute provides a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Hinsdale Police Department, FBI, and IRS Criminal Investigations led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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

Concord Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for

Role in Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

CONCORD – A Concord man was sentenced on October 8, 2025, for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Alton Ryan, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 125 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On March 11, 2025, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

“Despite prior drug trafficking convictions, Alton Ryan continued to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, this time with weapons readily available,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Repeat offenders who endanger our communities by pushing dangerous drugs while armed will face significant consequences for their crimes.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, between 2022 and 2023, the defendant distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine, culminating in a high-speed chase where the defendant possessed a distribution level quantity of cocaine, guns, and other weapons.

“Alton Ryan was a significant danger to the people of New Hampshire,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “This career criminal demonstrated a blatant disregard for public safety – not only by distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Granite State communities, but also by leading law enforcement on high-speed chase in a vehicle stashed with multiple firearms, a machete, and body armor as he attempted to evade officers during a traffic stop. The FBI remains committed to working with our state and local partners to remove violent criminals peddling lethal drugs from our streets.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Offender Task Force in partnership with the New Hampshire State Police led the investigation. The Concord Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and New Hampton Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Greenville Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing a Bank While on Federal Supervised Release

CONCORD – A Greenville man pleaded guilty on October 6, 2025, to robbing a bank while on federal supervised release, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Eric Lord, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery.  U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 12, 2026.

Lord robbed the TD Bank in New Ipswich on April 2, 2025.  He was on federal supervised release when he committed the robbery.  Lord was previously convicted in federal court for robbing the same TD Bank in 2014.  He committed the 2014 robbery one day after being paroled for burglary convictions.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The New Ipswich Police Department and FBI led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

Pembroke Man Pleads Guilty for Misusing CARES Act Funds to Purchase a Golf Course

CONCORD – A Pembroke man pleaded guilty on October 3, 2025, for fraudulently obtaining over $1 million of CARES Act funds from the United States government, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Michael Kirouac, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.  U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 15, 2026.

Kirouac owned or controlled four companies: HK Manchester, HK Loudon, HK Hudson, and HK Pelham.  He applied for and obtained over $1 million worth of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for the companies.  Kirouac certified that he would use the loan proceeds solely as working capital and would not use the funds for personal expenses or to relocate the businesses from one location to another.

Beginning in 2021, Kirouac was looking to purchase a golf course.  He was unable to obtain financing from banks and private lenders and instead obtained EIDLs on behalf of HK Manchester and HK Loudon. Kirouac used approximately $600,000 of EIDL funds intended for HK Manchester and HK Loudon to help purchase the Angus Lea Golf Course in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.  Kirouac also misused EIDL funds he obtained for HK Pelham.

Separately, Kirouac obtained a $260,500 EIDL for HK Hudson.  However, Kirouac had already agreed to sell HK Hudson to a third party when he signed for the loan.  Kirouac did not disclose that fact to the SBA.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigations, and SBA’s Office of the Inspector General led the investigation.   The Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section provided valuable assistance.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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During the early part of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act included multiple relief provisions to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Private lenders could participate in the PPP.  The loans, which were supposed to be used for payroll, were fully guaranteed by the government.  If borrowers used the PPP loans for payroll and other approved expenses as intended, they could apply for loan forgiveness.  The CARES Act also opened up the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.  As with PPP loans, EIDL loans were supposed to be used for payroll and other business expenses such as rent and mortgage.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Somersworth Man Arrested on State Assault Offense Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution Charge

CONCORD –Antoine Valentin, 43, of Somersworth, pleaded guilty October 2, 2025, in federal court for possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

According to the plea agreement, on November 1, 2022, law enforcement authorities arrested Valentin at his Somersworth residence on a state assault charge, which led to the seizure of more than 100 grams of fentanyl and drug proceeds totaling $1,300 in United States Currency.       

The charging statute provides for a sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison, at least four (4) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 15, 2026.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Somersworth Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

Salem Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Possession of Unregistered Firearms and Possession of Firearms by a Prohibited Person

CONCORD – A Salem man pleaded guilty on September 30, 2025, in federal court for possessing unregistered firearms in violation of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Act and for being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Daniel Fratus, age 39, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5845(a), 5861(d), 5871, and one count of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled Fratus’s sentencing for January 15, 2026.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, Daniel Fratus was indicted after an investigation that began on January 23, 2024. During that investigation, the Salem Police Department received a call from a concerned neighbor for shots fired coming from Fratus’s residence. Salem Police Department and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) law enforcement members later executed a search warrant and entered the residence where they observed several firearms along with approximately 12,870 rounds of ammunition. Fratus had previously been convicted of a felony and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Possession of unregistered firearms has a maximum sentence of 10 years’ confinement, and possession of firearms by a prohibited person has a maximum prison term of 15 years. Both charges can have a maximum fine of $250,000.

ATF led the investigation.  Salem Police Department provided valuable assistance. Special Assistant U.S Attorney Christopher Marin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske are prosecuting the case.  

Former School Employee Pleads Guilty to Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Student

CONCORD – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty September 30, 2025, to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jesus Moore, 36, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for January 13, 2026. Moore will be detained pending sentencing.  

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on March 7, 2022, Moore, a basketball coach at Lawrence High School, ordered a rideshare to transport a Lawrence High School student to the Super 8 Motel in Manchester, New Hampshire. Moore also traveled from Massachusetts to the Super 8 Motel. Moore provided the student with alcohol and then engaged in sexual conduct with the student when the student was incapable of consenting.

The Department of Homeland Security, the Lawrence Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case.

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

Dominican Authorities Extradite to the United States an International Drug Supplier Who Coordinated Local Distribution Through Encrypted Messaging Apps

CONCORD – A Dominican man has been extradited from the Dominican Republic and arrested in connection with his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl to New Hampshire residents, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Starlin Alexander Valdez De Los Santos, 35, was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  He appeared in federal court on September 30, 2025.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, during the course of the conspiracy, the defendant operated a significant drug distribution network, which involved coordination of suppliers and local distributors over an extended period and utilized sophisticated communication methods to avoid detection while residing outside the United States.  The years-long investigation into the defendant’s activities resulted in the total seizure of more than 750 grams of fentanyl during eight undercover purchase operations in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Hudson Police Department provided valuable assistance. Valuable assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and law enforcement partners in the Dominican Republic in securing the arrest and extradition from the Dominican Republic of Valdez De Los Santos. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

CONCORD – A Dominican man pleaded guilty today in federal court to immigration and drug offenses, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Robely Eladio De Jesus Guerrero, 37, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and one count of distribution of a controlled substance, specifically fentanyl and methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled De Jesus Guerrero’s sentencing for January 8, 2026.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in 2020 and 2021, De Jesus Guerrero was convicted of identity theft and a child sex offense in Massachusetts. In November 2021, ICE deported him to the Dominican Republic.

Between August and September 2024, a DEA cooperating source purchased fentanyl and methamphetamine from De Jesus Guerrero in New Hampshire. Through two sales in August, De Jesus Guerrero sold the cooperator approximately 120 grams of fentanyl. In September, De Jesus Guerrero sold the cooperating source approximately one pound of methamphetamine.

The charges of distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance carry a sentence of up to 20 years’ incarceration, not less than 3 years of supervised released, and a fine up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Anthony Clagon, age 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 23 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  In June 2025, Clagon pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.

“This defendant has already taken a life and remains prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of his previous criminal conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “By illegally arming himself with a gun and ammunition, he put our communities at serious risk. Today’s sentence makes clear that we will hold repeat offenders accountable and do everything we can to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those who are legally barred from having them.”

“In its investigations of dangerous felons in possession of firearms, ATF seeks to prioritize the most violent offenders posing the greatest threat to public safety. As a convicted murderer who immediately persisted in a life of crime upon his release from state prison, Clagon represents such an individual. This prosecution represents a vital component of ATF’s mission to protect the public and we would like to thank our partners at the Manchester Police Department for their collaboration on this investigation,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Clagon was convicted of second-degree murder in 2010 and, as a result, could not legally possess a firearm. After completing his sentence on that charge, Clagon began selling drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, and crack. In November 2024, Clagon sold marijuana to a customer who eventually paid for the drugs with a firearm and two magazines. Law enforcement searched Clagon’s apartment and found the firearm and two magazines, each containing nine .45 caliber rounds of ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The Manchester Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD –A Derry man was indicted for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Joseph Baran, 55, was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint. He appeared in federal court on August 21, 2025.

According to court documents, Baran was involved in the collection and distribution of CSAM as part of a technically sophisticated, anonymous, online group.

The investigation was led by the FBI’s Headquarter-based Child Exploitation Operational Unit, with assistance from the FBI’s Boston Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo is prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon for the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section at the U.S. Department of Justice provided valuable assistance.

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

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CONCORD – A Groveton man was sentenced to more than 4 years in federal prison for traveling from New Hampshire to Vermont to sexually abuse a minor victim, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Brandon Couture, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 51 months imprisonment and 7 years of supervised release. On May 22, 2025, Couture pleaded guilty to one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

“This defendant’s conduct was predatory and calculated. He crossed state lines with the sole purpose of abusing a child,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “This 51-month sentence underscores our commitment to protecting children from those who aim to exploit them, and it sends a clear message: If you prey on minors, we will use every tool and resource at our disposal to investigate you, prosecute you, and ensure you are held accountable.”

“It’s grimly ironic that Brandon Couture, a father himself, admitted to actively planning, and traveling across state lines to sexually abuse a 15-year-old girl. This predator victimized a vulnerable minor and with today’s sentence, he’ll pay a steep price for his atrocious behavior,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Those who sexually exploit children do serious lasting harm, and the FBI is committed to finding and bringing them to justice.” 

On June 13, 2024, Couture was arrested after a law enforcement investigation revealed that had he traveled from New Hampshire to Vermont to engage in criminal sexual activity with a minor victim.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The Northumberland Police Department and the Essex County, Vermont Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

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

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced on September 9th, 2025, in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Joseph Coffey, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 60 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On February 25, 2025, Coffey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Coffey’s co-defendant, Zachary Austin, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison.

“The defendant and his co-conspirator worked to introduce a significant amount of methamphetamine into the Manchester area,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Methamphetamine has inflicted tremendous damage on our communities over the past decade, and law enforcement in the Granite State will continue to relentlessly work to dismantle large-scale drug distributors.”

“DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes poisons like methamphetamine in order to profit and destroy lives,” said Special Agent in Charge, Jarod Forget, New England Field Division.  “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take drugs off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, Coffey and Austin operated a methamphetamine distribution business out of their shared Manchester apartment.  Between July and September 2024, Coffey and Austin sold methamphetamine to law enforcement on five occasions.  Searches of their apartment and vehicle later uncovered additional methamphetamine.  In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 3.66 pounds of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court for firearms trafficking and illegally possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Gicliff Rodriguez, age 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 63 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In May 2025, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking and possession of firearms by a prohibited person. On June 30, 2025, Rodriguez’ co-defendant, Rachael Cummings, was sentenced to 12 months of probation.

“Federal law is clear: if you are prohibited from possessing a firearm, you cannot try to get around that restriction by having someone else buy one for you,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “This defendant’s actions put the public in danger, and we will continue to prosecute those who attempt to sidestep the law at the expense of public safety.”

“The illegal trafficking firearms always poses a risk to the public. Rodriguez placed firearms in the hands of criminals who used them to commit acts of violence,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of that risk to the public and should serve as a warning to everyone that the unlawful trafficking of firearms will not be tolerated. ATF also commends the exemplary work of our partners at the Lowell Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, in February 2024, Rodriguez and Cummings drove from Massachusetts to a firearms and ammunition store in New Hampshire, where Rodriguez instructed Cummings to purchase three semiautomatic weapons for him. As a previously convicted felon, Rodriguez could not legally own or possess firearms. Investigators later recovered two of the three handguns purchased for Rodriguez, after they were used in violent crimes in Massachusetts.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Manchester woman was arrested on an indictment charging her with the distribution of animal crush videos, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Lynn Seymour, 51, of Manchester, was indicted on one count of distribution of animal crush videos and one count of conspiracy.  Seymour appeared in federal court today and was released pending further court proceedings.

According to the charging documents, Seymour is alleged to have participated in and served as the administrator for private online groups which included hundreds of members.  The purpose of the groups was to exchange and distribute animal crush videos depicting the torture, murder, sexually sadistic mutilation and sexual abuse of animals, specifically baby and adult monkeys.

The charge of distribution of animal crush videos provides a sentence of no greater than 7 years in prison, and the conspiracy charges provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years.   Both charges can carry terms of supervised release of up to 3 years and fines of up to $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

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

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CONCORD – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Concord to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Antonio Aguasvivas, 30 years old, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 51 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In February 2025, Aguasvivas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely, cocaine and fentanyl.  The defendant was originally charged with conspiracy on April 26, 2023, along with 20 other defendants. To date, 10 defendants have been sentenced.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of trafficking drugs in our communities and underscores our commitment to holding those at every level of the supply chain accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “Every role within these criminal networks is critical to their operation, and all involved will be held responsible for their contribution to the drug trade in the Granite State.”

“Antonio Aguasvivas led a major drug trafficking organization in our region that pumped large quantities of deadly narcotics into our communities, profiting off the addiction of others,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Now Mr. Aguasvivas will spend the next four years behind bars where he can’t harm anyone else. The FBI and our partners will continue to investigate and disrupt sprawling drug trafficking operations like this one, as we work to make our neighborhoods safer.”

“New Hampshire is in the midst of a devastating opioid crisis, as deaths from fentanyl soar. The DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify those, like Mr. Aguasvivas, who are contributing to the crisis by distributing dangerous drugs like fentanyl and cocaine in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge, Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “Yesterday’s sentence holds Mr. Aguasvivas accountable for his crimes, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put other callous distributers like him behind bars.”

According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, the defendant played a lead role in a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Manchester and elsewhere.  The organization used a dispatch operation to sell drugs: customers called a phone line to purchase narcotics and would speak to the defendant who would then put the customer in touch with a drug runner to complete the drug sale.  Between October 6, 2022 and March 7, 2023, law enforcement agents observed and recorded ten sales of fentanyl and crack cocaine in Manchester conducted by the defendant and others working for him.  Law enforcement obtained information that, during this timeframe, the defendant would drive to New Hampshire every day from Rhode Island to deliver large amounts of narcotics to his runners.  When customers called the dispatch line, on some occasions, the defendant would personally deliver the narcotics to customers himself, while on others, his runners would do so.  Law enforcement recovered 120 grams of fentanyl and 70 grams of crack cocaine from runners’ vehicles and drug sales the defendant conducted with individuals working for law enforcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kennedy is prosecuting the case. 

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Mexican national pleaded guilty today to transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while illegally crossing from Canada into the United States, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Jose Rodriguez-Garcia, 27, a Mexican national pleaded guilty to one count of transporting child sexual abuse material. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for December 15, 2025.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on June 6, 2024, Rodriguez-Garcia and another man were observed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol crossing from Canada into New Hampshire at Hall Stream Road.  A search of the defendant yielded several electronic media devices, including a thumb drive which depicted CSAM.

The charge of transporting CSAM carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. 

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Keene man pleaded guilty to a child exploitation offense, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Connor Mueller, 31, pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

U.S. District Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2025.

In 2023, an undercover law enforcement operation identified Mueller as using specialized peer-to-peer software to receive videos containing CSAM. The same software allowed other users to access materials shared by Mueller. Law enforcement subsequently searched Mueller’s home and discovered multiple devices which together contained numerous images and videos depicting child sexual abuse.

The charging statute provides a sentence of up to 20 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statues which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. 

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

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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CONCORD – A Guatemalan national pleaded guilty and was sentenced for unlawful reentry into the United States, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
 

Jorge Misael Niz, 43, a Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Salem, pleaded guilty and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to time served, or two months. Niz is currently in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for removal to Guatemala.

Niz was previously ordered to be removed from the United States by an Immigration Judge and was deported to Guatemala on March 30, 2006. On the evening of April 27, 2025, the Salem Police Department responded to an apartment after receiving a report of a domestic violence incident. Law enforcement arrested Niz for simple assault. After learning of the defendant’s immigration status, they referred him to ICE.

ICE led the investigation. The Salem Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Guatemalan national was sentenced for bringing in and harboring an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Esdras Aaron Calel-Cumes, 30, a Guatemalan man unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante to time served.  Calel-Cumes is in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation to Guatemala.  Calel-Cumes’ co-defendant Xiloj-Ambrocio was charged with one count of illegal entry and deported back to Guatemala.

“Individuals who cross our borders illegally will be held accountable. This case demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our law enforcement partners along New Hampshire’s northern border,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “We will continue to bring federal prosecutions when appropriate to protect the integrity of our borders and the safety of our communities.”

“We will continue to vigorously patrol the New Hampshire/Canada border to interdict and investigate smuggling cases like this one,” said Acting Patrol Agent in Charge William Laymon of the Beecher Falls, VT Border Patrol Station. “Illegal entry and alien smuggling are federal crimes, and we will seek criminal prosecution on those who commit them.”

On September 9, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected Calel-Cumes’ co-defendant, Luis Felipe Xiloj-Ambrocio, crossing illegally from Canada to the United States in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Calel-Cumes traveled from Massachusetts to pick up Xiloj-Ambrocio. At the time of their apprehension by law enforcement, Calel-Cumes and Xiloj-Ambrocio were driving south on U.S. Route 3.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – A Dominican man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in connection with a drug trafficking organization distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Raynerson Marcos De La Paz Matos, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2025.

According to court documents, law enforcement purchased fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine from the drug trafficking organization in Manchester on 10 occasions.  These purchases resulted in the total seizure of more than 350 grams of fentanyl, more than 40 grams of cocaine, and more than 25 grams of crack cocaine.  On September 11, 2024, law enforcement searched two residences on Cilley Road and Dubuque Street in Manchester.  The search of the Cilley Road residence yielded a total of more than 1,600 grams of fentanyl, more than 480 grams of cocaine, and drug proceeds totaling $4,675. The search of the Dubuque Street residence yielded drug proceeds totaling $54,370 and assorted jewelry with an estimated value of $161,675.

The charging statute provides a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five (5) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case. 

 This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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CONCORD – An Epping man pleaded guilty today in federal court for his conduct involving the sexual exploitation of minors, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

David Mendum, 46, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. U.S. District Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for November 25, 2025.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Mendum was paying child sex traffickers in the Philippines to create live-stream child sexual abuse material and transmit it to him over the internet.

The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Epping Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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CONCORD – A Harrisville man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Ryan Vallee, age 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 108 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. Vallee was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. In April 2025, Vallee pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the production of child sexual abuse material. 

“The defendant is a recidivist offender who illegally sought out CSAM while on federal supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “This case is one of many that highlights the importance of reporting child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). A cyber tip to NCMEC alerted law enforcement to online activity that led to the detection of the defendant’s crime.” 

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, on June 6, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Vallee’s home, car, and electronics. During the search, law enforcement found a cellphone that contained four videos of CSAM and 175 images of CSAM, and an SD card that contained 11 videos of CSAM. At the time, Vallee was on federal supervised release following prior convictions in 2017 for interstate threats, computer fraud and abuse, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking.

The Department of Homeland Security led the investigation. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, the Harrisville Police Department and the Belmont Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Anna Z. Krasinski is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

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