District of New Hampshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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

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

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

The charge of False Statements provides for a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

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CONCORD – A Methuen, Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court in Concord for his role in a conspiring to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Jaythean Diaz, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 24 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.  Diaz was also ordered to pay $5,100 in restitution.  On April 13, 2023, Diaz pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee. One of Diaz’ co-conspirators, Gary Ortiz, pleaded guilty to similar charges on May 1, 2023 and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22, 2023.

“It is criminals, like the defendant and his co-conspirators, that put illegal guns on our streets and often into the hands of dangerous people,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Their crime also has a direct financial impact on legitimate firearm commerce and our federal firearms licensees, like the victim in this case, Second Amendment Outdoors in Derry. The defendant’s lengthy incarceration sends a strong message that the illegal firearm market will not be tolerated in the Granite State.”

“Diaz and his co-conspirators targeted a local gun dealer in order to steal and resell guns on the street. This sentence is proof of ATF’s relentless resolve to bring to justice anyone who would victimize members of our community and put illegal guns into circulation,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division. “Federal firearms licensees are law-abiding citizens who make their livelihood providing a safe and legal means to responsibly bear arms, criminal acts against these businesses will be met with the full weight of the law.”

On December 8, 2021, the Diaz and his co-conspirators broke into Second Amendment Outdoors in Derry, New Hampshire and stole 12 firearms—11 pistols and one rifle.  Videos recovered from the phone of a co-conspirator show Diaz holding the stolen firearms, and messages recovered in another search show attempts by Diaz to sell at least one of the stolen firearms. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (“ATF”) led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department, Methuen Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Derry Police Department, Atkinson Police Department, Plaistow Police Department, Kingston Police Department, Windham Police Department, Hooksett Police Department, and Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.  

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

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CONCORD – A New Hampshire charity pleaded guilty today in federal court to export offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

NuDay, a/k/a NuDay Syria, pleaded guilty to three counts of Failure to File Export Information.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for December 28, 2023.

NuDay was founded by Nadia Alawa as a non-profit charity in 2013 and is headquartered in Windham, New Hampshire.  Alawa served as NuDay’s President.  Between 2018 and 2021, NuDay made over 100 shipments to Syria, a country that was subject to sanctions and export restrictions.  NuDay had the items shipped to Mersin, Turkey, where another company would transship them into Syria.  U.S. Department of Commerce regulations require exporters, such as NuDay, to report true and accurate information about the items being exported, including the shipment’s description, end user, and monetary value.  However, NuDay falsely reported that the end destination of the shipments was Turkey and not Syria, and artificially deflated the value of the goods to be below the $2,500 reporting threshold.  For example, on May 5th, 2019, NuDay falsely reported that their shipment was intended for Turkey and that the value of the container was less than $2,500. NuDay now admits that this container was actually intended for Syria and claims its true value was $8.3 million.

For an organizational defendant, the charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than five years of probation and a fine of $10,000 per count.  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.  As a condition of the plea, Nadia Alawa and her family members will have no further involvement with NuDay.

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

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CONCORD – A Bronx, New York, woman has been charged in connection with trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl combined with xylazine from New York to New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.  

Katherine Sanchez Lugo, 33, was arrested today in Nashua on a criminal complaint of possessing with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances.  Sanchez Lugo will make an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on September 7, 2023.   

According to the charging documents, Sanchez Lugo trafficked controlled substances on three occasions from New York to New Hampshire. Sanchez Lugo distributed a 200-gram mixture of fentanyl, heroin and xylazine, and 55-grams of methamphetamine on June 14, 2023. The defendant also trafficked more than half of a kilogram of substances allegedly containing fentanyl on July 12th, 2023 and August 10th, 2023.   

Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful non-opiate sedative that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for veterinary use only.  Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects.  Xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning.  People who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis—the rotting of human tissue—that may lead to amputation. The combination is referred to on the street as the “zombie drug.”

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently issued a public safety alert warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine and the drug’s deadly effects.  The FDA also published an alert to health care providers about the risks to patients exposed to xylazine in illicit drugs. 

The charge of possessing with intent to distribute and distributing controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. 

DEA led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case. 

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

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CONCORD – A previously removed Mexican national has been charged in connection with a human smuggling incident along the New Hampshire-Canada border, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Reynaldo Velasco-Velasco, 36, was charged by criminal complaint with illegal reentry of a removed alien in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326 and unlawful transportation of certain aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324. Velasco-Velasco made an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on September 5, 2023.

According to the charging documents, on the evening of September 2, 2023, a group of individuals wearing backpacks were observed crossing the international border from Canada near Canaan, Vermont. At approximately 5:30 a.m. the next morning, a U.S. Border Patrol agent observed two vehicles traveling away from the same area. The agent stopped the lead vehicle and determined that all five of its occupants were citizens of Mexico with no lawful authority to be present in the United States. All four passengers had backpacks with them, and their pants appeared wet and dirty from their shins down. The driver was subsequently identified via biometric databases as Velasco-Velasco, a Mexican citizen who was previously removed from the United States in 2011.

The illegal reentry charge provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The alien smuggling charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison per count, up to three years of supervised release per count, and a fine of up to $250,000 per count. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Border Patrol led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad Hodes 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 Merrimack man pleaded guilty today in federal court to charges in connection with his theft of funds from his previous employer, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Scott Dulac, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of federal wire fraud charges.  U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for December 14, 2023. Defendant was indicted on March 7, 2022.

Dulac worked as the manager of Confluence Medical, a radiologist staffing and recruiting company.  He had access to and signatory authority on the company’s bank accounts in order to manage payroll, pay company bills, and arrange for payments to contracted radiologists.  On numerous occasions, between early 2019 and early 2020, Dulac made unauthorized fund transfers and cash withdrawals for his own personal benefit in excess of $100,000.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.  The plea agreement additionally requires Dulac to pay restitution in the amount of $135,000 to the victim company.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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CONCORD – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for his role as a drug runner in a conspiracy to distribute internationally sourced fentanyl operating out of Lawrence, Massachusetts., U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Ramon Jaquez Diaz, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The defendant was convicted by a federal jury for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl on April 6, 2023.

“For an international drug conspiracy to function, criminals perform various jobs- including delivering the drugs to suppliers and customers.  Regardless of the role, those involved in conspiracies to distribute fentanyl will be prosecuted and punished,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s crime and should serve as a deterrent to those who pollute our communities with this deadly poison.”

“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. Diaz, who are contributing to the crisis,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Today’s sentence holds Mr. Diaz accountable for his crimes, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to put other callous distributers like him behind bars.”

At trial, the government introduced transcripts from recorded telephone conversations between Jaquez Diaz and his co-conspirators, wherein the co-defendants discussed Jaquez Diaz’s role as the runner in the New England area.  The evidence against the defendant also included law-enforcement surveillance.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth R. Aframe, Heather A. Cherniske, and John Kennedy are prosecuting the case.  

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

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CONCORD – A New York man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business that was used to export weapons to Pakistan, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Muhammad Mohsin Raja, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 24 months in prison and 1 year of supervised release.  On May 25, 2022, Raja pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

“The defendant facilitated the export of weapons, and weapon components, to foreign national organizations that threaten U.S. security interests abroad,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said.  “This case underscores the importance of our banking laws and regulations in protecting our national security interests.”  

“Raja over multiple years engaged in money facilitation in order to evade export restrictions and ultimately enabled the shipment of weapons overseas,” said James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office. “This case highlights the important role that enforcement of financial laws plays in our national security. The FBI is committed to ensuring that anyone who engages in criminal activity in order to elude laws and regulations is held accountable in the criminal justice system.”

“Preventing parties on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Entity List from acquiring items that contribute to programs of national security concern, such as components for use in cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), is a shared U.S. Government priority,” said Rashel D. Assouri, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Boston Field Office, Office of Export Enforcement.  “The Office of Export Enforcement, in coordination with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigorously pursue, dismantle, and disrupt illicit networks that violate U.S. law.”

For several years, Raja operated a “hawala” based out of New York and worked with individuals in Pakistan to coordinate the transfer of money between parties in the United States and Pakistan.  A hawala is a type of informal money transfer system that uses a network of agents to transfer money across international borders without using the banking system, typically to circumvent banking laws and regulations.

The defendant transmitted approximately $4.7 million to Pakistan in 2021 alone.  As part of the hawala, he made multiple payments for products intended for an organization on the Commerce Department’s Entity List, Pakistan’s Advanced Engineering Research Organization (AERO). AERO was added to the Entity List, which imposes export restrictions for organizations whose activities threaten U.S. national security or foreign policy interests, for procuring items for use in Pakistan’s cruise missile and strategic UAV programs. For example, the defendant made payments for a blade antenna manufactured by a New Hampshire defense contractor.  Those antennas are typically used in UAVs, tactical missiles, helicopters, and aircraft.  The defendant also made payments to a Florida defense contractor for rotary pumps and a solenoid valve.  The rotary pumps were designed for use in M110 self-propelled howitzers, and the solenoid valve was designed for use in an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile or an AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile. 

The defendant also made payments to a Florida firearms manufacturer on behalf of a Pakistani company called Al-Akbar Arms.  The payments were for two shipments of assault weapons.  The defendant messaged another individual suggesting they disguise the purpose of the payments as “purchasing watches as sports equipment.”  However, law enforcement successfully intercepted the assault weapons. 

In operating the hawala, the defendant used multiple cell phones to coordinate with other individuals, used multiple bank accounts, and enlisted the assistance of at least 10 friends and family members to visit banks and check cashing businesses to help cash checks, place money orders, and deposit funds. 

Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Nashua man was indicted for making false statements during the acquisition of firearms, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Charles Stone, age 23, was indicted on five (5) counts of making false statements to federally licensed firearms dealers during the purchase of firearms. Stone will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging document, between September and November of 2021, Stone purchased a total of six firearms on five separate occasions from federally licensed firearms dealers in New Hampshire. When he completed the firearm purchase forms, he stated that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the gun, when in fact he was buying the guns for someone else.

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

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

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

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CONCORD – A Manchester man was indicted in connection with the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Walter Velez, 41, was indicted on four counts of distribution of controlled substances in connection with the sale of fentanyl and crack cocaine to a confidential informant.  Velez will appear in federal court at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Velez sold fentanyl and crack cocaine at his business, Velez Alignment & Auto Services, LLC, in Manchester on four separate occasions.  The four sales totaled over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 20 grams of crack cocaine.

These charges of distribution of a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least 6 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $2,000,000.  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 Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward 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 Franklin man has been indicted for threatening to kill a United States Senator, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Brian Landry, 67, was charged with threatening to assault, kidnap or murder a United States official in connection with the official’s performance of official duties and with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.  Landry was originally arrested by complaint on June 2, 2023.  He is scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court on September 14, 2023.

According to the charging documents, Landry called a district field office of a United States Senator on May 17, 2023 and left a voicemail, stating:

“Hey stupid. I’m a veteran sniper.  And unless you change your ways, I got my scope pointed in your direction and I’m coming to get you.  You’re a dead man walking, you piece of f*****g sh*t.”

Investigators identified the phone call as coming from a number associated with Landry.  When they interviewed Landry, he admitted to having called the Senator’s office but did not initially recall exactly what he said in the voicemail.

The charges provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police, the Franklin Police Department, and the Manchester Police Departments. 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 – U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces that Bradley J. Russ, Maureen Sullivan, and former Major Joseph M. Ebert have been appointed to serve as the Project Safe Neighborhood’s (PSN) Selection Committee.

“These three individuals will serve as the members of an external panel that will review applications for subawards under the PSN Program,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “I am thankful for their willingness to contribute their valuable expertise and perspectives to this process.”

Bradley J. Russ is the Executive Director of the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) of Fox Valley Technical College. He previously served as the Chief of Police of the Portsmouth Police Department and the Commander of the Northern New England Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He has over 35 years of experience as a national instructor for U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) funded training programs, and as a member of national DOJ task forces and commissions. Brad Russ holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Hampshire and is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy and Law Enforcement Executive Development training programs.

Maureen “Moe” Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County (CACRC). Maureen serves on a variety of committees, including the state advisory committee for the New Hampshire Police Academy and the Rockingham County Chiefs Association (RCCA). She is a former adjunct instructor at the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul School of Business and Economics, a 2004 graduate of Leadership Seacoast, and former board member of the Portsmouth Rotary Club. She also volunteers with local organizations to include the Rotary District 7780 Opioid Recovery Initiative and Portsmouth Community Coordinated Response to Substance Misuse Disorder. Maureen holds a Doctorate of the Arts in Leadership Studies from Franklin Pierce University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Former Major Joseph M. Ebert served in the New Hampshire State Police from 2002-2023. During his time in the State Police, Joe served in a variety of roles to include as: a Trooper assigned to Troop-A; a Field Training Officer; a Drug Recognition Expert; a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team; a Sergeant, Lead Homicide Detective, and Commander in the Major Crime Unit; Director of the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center; and a Captain in the Investigation Services. In 2022, he was promoted to Major and Commander of the Investigative Services Unit (ISB). As the Commander of the ISB, Major Ebert oversaw the Narcotics Investigations Unit, the Major Crime Unit, the Polygraph Unit, the Special Investigations Unit and the Terrorism and Intelligence Unit. During his tenor as Major, he also acted as, among other roles, a legislative liaison and grant overseer. Joe earned his Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Springfield College in 2001.

PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement officials, prosecutors, community-based partners, and other stakeholders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories.

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CONCORD – A Lee man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Joshua Olsen, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe to 136 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. Olsen was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

“Our office, together with our state and federal law enforcement partners, remains dedicated to ensuring the protection of our children and communities from predators like the defendant,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “Today’s lengthy sentence sends a strong message that the sexual exploitation of children in New Hampshire will not be tolerated.”

“The sexual exploitation of children by predators like Joshua Olsen requires decisive action which is why the FBI acted so quickly in this case,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence certainly does not erase the harm Mr. Olsen inflicted upon his victims, but it does ensure that others will be protected from his abuse.” 

Olsen engaged in sexually explicit online chats with an undercover federal agent in November of last year.  During the chats, Olsen distributed images of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct to the undercover officer.  A phone later seized from Olsen was found to contain additional CSAM.  Olsen also made admissions during a voluntary interview with law enforcement regarding his sexual abuse of an eight-year-old child.  This conduct is the subject of separate state charges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lee Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland prosecuted the case.

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

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CONCORD – A Boston man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Anthony Govan, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  

“The defendant trafficked lethal narcotics to the Granite State,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “His sentence serves as a warning that trafficking, any amount of fentanyl and crack cocaine to New Hampshire, will have consequences.”

According to Court documents and statements made in Court, Govan’s charges stem from a 2019 traffic-stop along I-95 in Portsmouth.  Govan was a passenger in the vehicle and was found to be in possession of distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine.  Govan has been in state custody in Massachusetts on unrelated charges since August 2021.

United States Attorney Jane E. Young made the announcement today. The New Hampshire State Police led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Derry man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with importing, manufacturing, and distributing steroids, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Ralph Cardarelli, 44, was indicted with distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce. Cardarelli was charged by complaint on July 17, 2023.

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

The charge of distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 2 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000.00. The charge of causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.00. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Derry Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward 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 former Dover man was indicted in connection with illegally possessing four firearms, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Christopher T. Brown, 37, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Brown was arrested in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on Saturday, August 12, 2023, and was ordered detained by a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Alexandria, Virginia.  Law enforcement will transport Brown to appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Brown is a convicted felon and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms.  However, on January 9, 2023 in Dover, Brown possessed four firearms, including two 9 mm pistols, a .40 caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun with no serial number. 

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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

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CONCORD – A man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to his illegal reentry into the United States after being deported twice, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Luis Aragon-Lara, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of reentry after deportation.  U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for November 28, 2023. Lara was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 29, 2023.

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

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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CONCORD – A Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court in Concord for drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Johan M. Rodriguez, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 60 months in prison. On March 28, 2023, Rodriguez plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

“The defendant traveled into New Hampshire for the sole purpose of selling more than twenty pounds of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “The magnitude of harm this quantity of fentanyl could have caused the citizens of New Hampshire if it had reached the streets is unfathomable, and for that the defendant will be imprisoned for a lengthy period of time. The tireless efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement officers safeguarded countless members of our communities from the poison the defendant was intending to pollute into our communities.”

“Johan Rodriguez headed to New Hampshire intending to sell an alarming amount of fentanyl,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Thankfully, the FBI’s Major Offender Task Force stopped him before he could flood our streets with this poison. Today’s sentence removes Rodriguez from our community and sends a strong message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to identify and bring to justice drug dealers who seek to profit from the misery of others.”

On September 26, 2022, Rodriguez took a rideshare from Lawrence, Massachusetts to a residence in Dover to deliver approximately ten kilograms of fentanyl for a Lawrence-based drug supplier. Law enforcement surveilled Rodriguez as he removed a toolbox and tool bag from the vehicle’s trunk and carried them to the door of the residence. A search of the toolbox resulted in the seizure of approximately ten kilograms of fentanyl, which was separated into individual bundles ready for distribution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New Hampshire Major Offender Task Force led the investigation. The Strafford County Sheriff ‘s Office’s Problem Solving Oriented Policing Unit, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office’s Drug Task Force, and the Dover Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis prosecuted the case.                   

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CONCORD – A second Manchester man has been charged in connection with the distribution of fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced.

Joseph Goffinet, Jr., 53, was arrested and charged with distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in connection with the sale of fentanyl.  Goffinet, Jr. made an initial appearance in federal court in Concord on Friday, August 4, 2023, and was detained. According to the charging documents, on one occasion Goffinet, Jr. conspired with Walter Velez to distribute fentanyl. Velez was charged with the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine on July 26, 2023.

The charges of distribution of a controlled substance and conspiracy each provide for a sentence of at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of 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.

Department of Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward 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 Lawrence man was sentenced in federal court for drug trafficking in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Santo Evangelista Soto, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joesph N. Laplante to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On February 21, 2023, Soto plead guilty to distributing heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

From February 12, 2020 through October 9, 2020, the defendant conspired with other individuals to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. On one occasion during the investigation, the defendant sold 1,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained heroin and methamphetamine. Soto was arrested by the Drug Enforcement Administration on October 9, 2020. At the time of the arrest, Soto intended to sell one and a half kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.

“The defendant has a long history of drug dealing, and has already been convicted for drug trafficking twice,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s lengthy sentence ensures he will serve a significant period of incarceration for this serious crime.”

The DEA’s Manchester District Office, New Hampshire State Police’s Narcotics Investigations and Mobile Enforcement Units and the Dover Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis is prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – Heath Gauthier, 46, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography on August 2, 2023. Gauthier will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Gauthier was indicted on February 15, 2023, on charges of wire fraud, attempted wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with his alleged fraudulent applications for more than $1 million in CARES Act loans. Gauthier was arrested on February 16, 2023, and investigators executed a search warrant on his residence and person. The search warrant authorized the search of his electronic devices. Subsequently, investigators located one or more computer disks and other material that contained one or more images of child sexual abuse material.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.  If a defendant has a qualifying prior conviction, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years and at least 10 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.

IRS Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Social Security Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter 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 former Hampton Falls man pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to obtain additional Social Security benefits, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Kenneth Simard Jr., 37, pleaded guilty to False Statements. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for November 30, 2023.

Simard applied for Social Security Supplemental Security Insurance benefits on behalf of a disabled minor child in October 2018.  In the application, Simard represented that the child lived with him and that he would use the benefits on behalf of the child.  However, Simard lost custody of the child in February 2019.  Although he was required to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) if the child moved, Simard continued to tell the SSA that he lived with the child and obtained $23,148 in benefits that he was not entitled to receive. 

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Matthew T. Hunter are prosecuting the case.  

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U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young will join community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement partners at Manchester Police Department’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. The event is scheduled from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Beech Street School and JFK Coliseum.

“National Night Out is a special night of the year that allows law enforcement and the public a tangible opportunity to build vitally important relationships and mutual trust,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “I hope the people of Manchester will join me and my colleagues on Tuesday night to celebrate our partnership as a community.”

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country. 

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/.

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CONCORD – A New York man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to transporting stolen goods across state lines, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announced.

Jalil McIntyre, 32, pleaded guilty to Transportation of Stolen Goods.  U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for November 6, 2023.

McIntyre and his co-defendant, Deshun Jackson, traveled to Lowe’s and Home Depots across the northeastern United States, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. They stole high-value commercial items, such as circuit breakers. They were seen on surveillance footage grabbing products off shelves, placing them into large plastic bags, and walking out of the stores.  In total, they stole $195,604.76 worth of products across 23 separate thefts.  They also attempted to steal another $46,619.07 worth of products during 11 additional unsuccessful thefts.  The stolen products were brought back to New York, where both McIntyre and Jackson lived. 

Jackson is currently in state custody in New York and will be transported by law enforcement to New Hampshire. 

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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

Zachary Janas, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joesph N. Laplante to 55 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 17, 2023, Janas plead guilty to distribution of and unlawful possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

“Individuals trafficking in fentanyl, whether acting alone or as a participant in an organized drug trafficking organization, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Drug traffickers, like the defendant, import and distribute fentanyl in New Hampshire at an alarming rate. As evident by the work done in this case, our law enforcement partners will deploy the necessary assets to investigate and bring to justice those who sell drugs knowing full well the potentially deadly consequences of their actions.”     

“Zachary Janas deserves the prison sentence he received today for distributing a significant amount of fentanyl and possessing multiple firearms in his home in Goffstown,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “Fentanyl is an insidious drug that has destroyed countless lives in New Hampshire, and the FBI’s Major Offender Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove from our streets the dangerous criminals who peddle this poison."

On September 21, 2021, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arranged the purchase of approximately one-half kilogram of fentanyl from Janas at his Goffstown residence. On September 24, 2021, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Janas’ residence and seized an additional one-half kilogram of fentanyl packaged for distribution, approximately $7,000 cash, multiple firearms, and ammunition.

The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force, New Hampshire State Police’s Narcotics Investigations Unit and the Goffstown Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis is prosecuting the case.  

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CONCORD – A Manchester man has been charged in connection with the distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Walter Velez, 41, was arrested and charged with distribution of controlled substances in connection with the sale of fentanyl to a confidential informant. Velez made an initial appearance in federal court on Friday, July 21, 2023.  Velez was ordered temporarily detained and a detention hearing is scheduled for July 26, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

According to the charging documents, Velez sold fentanyl and crack cocaine on four separate occasions totaling over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 20 grams of crack cocaine.

The charge of distribution of a controlled substance provides for a sentence of at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least 4 years of supervised release, and a fine of 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.

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

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CONCORD – A Vermont man was sentenced in federal court in Concord for unlawfully possessing quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Damien Rousseau, Jr., 31, formerly of Vershire, Vermont was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 10, 2023, Rousseau plead guilty to unlawful possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

“This office is committed to prosecuting drug traffickers who possess firearms and large quantities of narcotics for distribution in New Hampshire, and surrounding states, to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Methamphetamine and cocaine are insidiously dangerous drugs that continue to ravage New Hampshire. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement, the defendant was brought to justice and our communities will be free from his drug dealing.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling Poly Drug Trafficking Organizations like this one headed by Mr. Rousseau, who are responsible for distributing drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take these poisons 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 the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

On May 11, 2022, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center security personnel determined that Rousseau was in a patient’s room while in possession of a bag that contained a small quantity of narcotics and a drug ledger. The Lebanon Police Department responded and observed that Rousseau’s BMW vehicle, in the medical center’s parking-lot, had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. A drug detecting canine also alerted the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. The defendant was arrested and released on bail.  The following day, May 12, 2022, the Lebanon Police Department observed Rousseau trespassing in their secure-impound lot. After finding him hidden in the BMW, officers arrested him and executed a search warrant on the vehicle. Law Enforcement seized approximately 436 grams of methamphetamine, 98.66 grams of cocaine, 10.5 grams of fentanyl, three loaded firearms, assorted loose ammunition, $2,179, and 20 assorted silver and gold-colored coins.   

This matter was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration- Manchester District Office and Burlington Vermont Resident Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lebanon Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis.

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CONCORD – An inmate at FCI Berlin was indicted in connection with his possession of a homemade weapon within the prison, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Jawan Fernanders, 21, was indicted on one count of possession of contraband in prison. Fernanders will make an initial appearance in federal court on a later date.

According to the charging documents on May 6, 2023, Fernanders, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, possessed a prohibited object—namely, a homemade knife with a serrated blade. 

The charge of possession of contraband in prison provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter 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 Webster man was indicted in connection with two pipe bomb explosions in Weare, New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Dale G. Stewart, Jr., 54, was indicted on three counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, specifically a destructive device.  Stewart made an initial appearance in federal court on May 3, 2023, and is detained.

According to the charging documents, Stewart allegedly constructed and detonated two destructive devices in Weare, New Hampshire, on April 26, 2023 and April 27, 2023. In response to the explosions, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Stewart’s vehicle and retrieved an additional destructive device, constructed of white PVC pipe, with glued end caps, wrapped in black electrical tape, with a green hobby fuse protruding from one of the end caps. The destructive device found in the vehicle contained more than 4 ounces of an explosive material, consistent with the manufacturing of the two recovered suspected pipe bombs from the two separate detonation scenes in Weare, New Hampshire.

The charge of possessing an unregistered destructive device provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Weare Police Department, and the Federal Protective Service led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the New Hampshire State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega 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 Woonsocket, Rhode Island man was indicted and arrested in connection with federal firearms charges, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Mario Marques, 25, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to make false statements during the acquisition of firearms, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Marques will appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Marques was legally prohibited from purchasing firearms but conspired with another person to purchase six firearms for him.  The guns were purchased from five separate federally licensed firearms dealers in New Hampshire, between September 30 and November 20, 2021.  Marques is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm for possessing a Springfield Armory Model XD, .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol purchased in New Hampshire during the course of the conspiracy.

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

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

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

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CONCORD – A Lawrence man was sentenced in federal court in Concord for conspiring to steal firearms from three different New Hampshire gun stores, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

William Mejia, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliot to 30 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. Mejia was also ordered to pay $23,915.02 in restitution. Mejia and his two co-defendants, Johariel Quezada and Ethan Ayala, were indicted on June 13, 2022. On March 29, 2023, Mejia pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal firearms from a federal firearms licensee.

“The defendant and his confederates traveled to New Hampshire multiple times for one purpose – to steal 43 firearms. Such brazen behavior poses risks to our communities and will simply not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “As is apparent from this investigation, law enforcement will continue to work together to ensure that those who target federal firearm licensees will be caught, prosecuted, and incarcerated for lengthy periods upon conviction.”

“ATF works closely with our law enforcement partners as well as Federal Firearms Licensees to ensure firearms that are stolen and diverted into the community to further criminal activity, are held accountable for their actions. This sentence illustrates ATF’s abiding commitment to justice,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge James Ferguson.

Between August 29, 2021 and October 4, 2021, Mejia conspired with others to steal firearms from three New Hampshire Federal Firearms Licensees.  Throughout the conspiracy, 43 firearms were stolen from Milford Firearms in Milford, Second Amendment Arms in Windham, and MacPherson Firearms in Brentwood. Multiple stolen firearms were recovered from a co-defendant’s residence, including one with Mejia’s fingerprints on it. Videos recovered from a co-defendant’s phone as well as from social media showed numerous stolen firearms and admissions of Mejia’s involvement in the conspiracy.

Mejia’s codefendant, Johariel Quezada, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release on May 12, 2023. Ethan Ayala is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2024.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Andover Police Department, the Brentwood Police Department, the Haverhill Police Department, the Lawrence Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Salem Police Department, the Somersworth Police Department, the Saugus Police Department, the Wellesley Police Department, and the Windham Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy prosecuted the case.

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

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CONCORD – A Barrington man was sentenced in federal court for defrauding the church where he worked, Journey Baptist Church in Barrington, out of approximately $130,000, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Gregory Neal of Barrington, age 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 18 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.  Neal was also ordered to pay $129,960.13 in restitution to the victims of the fraud, including the church and the insurance company that covered a portion of the losses incurred by the fraudulent activity. On April 12, 2023, Neal pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging him with wire fraud.    

“Today, a man who abused his position of trust- as a leader of his church- and stole from his congregation to support his gambling habit has been brought to justice,” United States Attorney Jane Young stated. “Criminals like the defendant who defraud organizations and public institutions in our community will be prosecuted by this office to the full extent of the law.”

Between January 2017 to March 2020, as the Executive Pastor of the Journey Baptist Church, Neal made unauthorized withdrawals of the church’s funds to pay off his gambling debts.  He also made unauthorized purchases with the church’s credit cards for his own benefit, including items from various vendors and retail stores. These unauthorized transactions amounted to $129,960.13. 

The United States Secret Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Derry man has been charged in connection with importing, manufacturing, and distributing steroids, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Ralph Cardarelli, 44, was charged with distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce. Cardarelli will make an initial appearance in federal court on July 17, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

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

The charge of distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 2 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000.00. The charge of causing a drug to become misbranded after shipment in interstate commerce provides for a sentence of up to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.00. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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

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 Nashua man was sentenced in federal court for attempting to rob Bank of America and East Hollis Variety in Nashua, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Shawn Soucy, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 89 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On March 9, 2023, Soucy pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery and interference with commerce by threats or violence.

“People who threaten others and attempt to steal from businesses in our communities will be held accountable and significantly punished for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.  No one should have to go to work and have their safety and security jeopardized by another person.”

“Shawn Soucy is a dangerous criminal who threatened innocent victims, bank tellers and bystanders, during the commission of his violent crimes,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case should be a warning to others that if you commit a bank robbery or any other violent crime in New Hampshire, you will face serious consequences. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force is committed to taking violent criminals off the street and stopping them from continuing to victimize others.”

On January 18, 2022, Soucy entered Bank of America and threatened to shoot the teller if that individual did not give him money.  He then went to East Hollis Variety, where he held his hand in the shape of a gun and demanded money from the clerk.  He did not take any money from either establishment.   

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske and Anna Dronzek prosecuted the case.

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CONCORD – A Lebanon man pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms crimes, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Marshall Dimick, 32, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for October 30, 2023. The defendant was previously charged on March 9, 2021.

On July 9, 2020, an officer of the Lebanon Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle being driven by the defendant.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a handgun in the center console with a loaded magazine, 540 small bags containing approximately 10g of a mixture containing heroin and fentanyl, over $2,000 in cash, and a cell phone.  The phone contained texts of drug activity between the defendant and others, as well as a conversation between the defendant and his mother referencing the gun in the car.  The defendant is a convicted felon and cannot legally possess a gun.

The charging statute for the drug offense provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release of at least three years, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The charging statute for the felon in possession offense provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release of not more than three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.  The charging statute for offense of carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking provides a sentence of up to life in prison, and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a term of supervised release of not more than five years, and a maximum 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 and the Lebanon Police Department led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.

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CONCORD – A former Keene woman was indicted in connection with stealing more than $500,000 from her employer between 2015 and 2021, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Stephanie Pratt, 38, was indicted on six counts of wire fraud.  Pratt will appear before Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone for an initial appearance in federal court today at 2:00pm.

According to the charging documents, Pratt was the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale, New Hampshire.  She had full access to the company’s finances, including its bank accounts and credit cards.  Over the course of six-and-a-half years, Pratt stole more than $500,000 from the company.  She cashed unauthorized checks to herself and entered them as payments to legitimate vendors in the company’s accounting system.  Pratt also used the company’s credit cards to make unauthorized personal purchases, including for items like plane tickets, a smart TV, a hot tub, Patriots tickets, and miscellaneous herbs and spices.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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

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CONCORD – A bookkeeper from Barnstead was sentenced today in federal court for stealing money from both Barnstead and Hampton School Districts, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Amy Burley, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 12 months and one day in federal prison and 2 years of supervised release. Burley was also ordered to pay $131,261.81 in restitution. On February 23, 2023, Burley pleaded guilty to two counts of Theft from a Program Receiving Federal Funds.

“These public-school districts placed trust in Burley as their bookkeeper, and she blatantly abused that trust by stealing funds intended for the school children in these districts,” U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said. “I’m proud that we were able to bring restitution to the taxpayers while sending a deterrent message that this type of thievery will result in incarceration.”

“Instead of working honestly on behalf of two financially struggling school districts, Amy Burley took advantage of them, betraying the trust they placed in her, by stealing tens of thousands of dollars to line her own pockets,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “Her selfish greed is an affront to all the hard-working students and taxpayers struggling to make ends meet, and today’s sentence ensures she’s held accountable for her criminal conduct.”

Burley was employed as a bookkeeper for Barnstead School District and then Hampton School District.  In her role, Burley processed payroll and handled the payment of invoices.

Burley used her access at Barnstead School District to alter her payroll information, make personal student loan payments and payments to personal creditors, and pay for an Amazon account charged to Barnstead but controlled by Burley, totaling $110,295.26.  Following her termination from Barnstead, Burley was hired as a bookkeeper at Hampton School District, where she used again her position to use district funds to pay student loans and credit cards belonging to her or her family members, totaling $20,966.52

Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Department of Education Office of the Inspector General, the Barnstead Police Department, and the Hampton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy prosecuted the case.

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