District of New Hampshire
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Farmington Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Thomas Blanchette, 45, of Farmington, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and unlawful possession of a firearm, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Blanchette conspired with others between approximately 2016 and December 20, 2018 to distribute fentanyl. As part of the conspiracy, on November 17, 2017, a New Hampshire State Police (“NHSP”) trooper made a motor vehicle stop of co-conspirator Christopher Stearns’ vehicle after observing several motor vehicle violations. Blanchette and his wife, co-conspirator Amy Blanchette, were passengers in the vehicle, along with another individual. The trooper subsequently seized the vehicle, executed a search warrant, and seized 176 grams of fentanyl from a box near the rear passenger seat where Amy Blanchette had been seated. Arrest warrants were obtained for Blanchette, Stearns and Amy Blanchette.
On January 2, 2018, DEA agents observed Stearns and Thomas Blanchette in Stearns’ vehicle travel to the area of Lawrence, Massachusetts and return to New Hampshire a short time later. A NHSP trooper stopped the vehicle and arrested Stearns and Thomas Blanchette on the outstanding arrest warrants. The NHSP subsequently executed a search warrant on Stearns’ vehicle and seized over 28 grams of fentanyl.
On December 20, 2018, DEA agents executed federal arrest warrants for Thomas and Amy Blanchette at their residence. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and several firearms. Thomas Blanchette was prohibited from owning firearms due to a felony conviction in 2010.
Blanchette previously pleaded guilty on June 9, 2021. Amy Blanchette and Christopher Stearns also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
“Fentanyl traffickers are selling a deadly substance that has caused immeasurable harm to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “When drug dealers are armed, the risk to the public is even greater. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the fentanyl dealers who peddle this dangerous substance in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hampshire State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Adrian Hardin, 27, of Manchester, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 5, 2020, Manchester police officers responded to a domestic violence call and observed Hardin inside the residence. The caller advised police that Hardin possessed a firearm. While speaking with the caller, officers observed Hardin walking away from the residence. Officers followed Hardin and saw him run into a parking garage and exit moments later. A police dog went through the garage and located a handgun in the area of the garage where an officer had observed Hardin. After his arrest, Hardin agreed to speak to officers and admitted he possessed the firearm.
On March 18, 2021, Hardin was arrested by Merrimack police officers on a state warrant. At the time, Hardin was driving a stolen vehicle. After the vehicle was towed, an employee of the towing company located two loaded firearms in the center console. Hardin is forbidden from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous felony conviction in 2016.
Hardin previously pleaded guilty on November 1, 2021. He will serve his sentence concurrent to a state prison sentence.
“To protect our community from violent crime, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “This defendant’s possession of multiple firearms created a clear risk to public safety. Thanks to good law enforcement work, this defendant has been held responsible for his unlawful conduct and our community has been protected from potential violence.”
“The unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon is a violation of federal law that ATF takes very seriously as it threatens the safety of our communities,” said James M. Ferguson ATF Boston Special Agent in Charge. “This investigation exemplifies ATF’s mission to work with our local and state law enforcement partners to combat the illegal possession of firearms, which in the wrong hands, could be used in crimes of violence against our citizens or law enforcement officers.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manchester Police Department, and the Merrimack Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M Walsh.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jonathan Sargent, 39, of Manchester, was sentenced on Tuesday to 156 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 22, 2019, Manchester Police detectives and Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at Sargent’s apartment and arrested him on a warrant for distributing controlled substances. The search revealed several assault-style rifles, a handgun, ammunition, cash, and other items consistent with drug trafficking. Law enforcement officers also seized approximately 850 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 56 grams of fentanyl from Sargent’s apartment.
Sargent previously pleaded guilty on October 20, 2021. As part of his plea, Sargent agreed to forfeit multiple firearms that were in his possession at the time of his arrest.
“This case demonstrates the danger that armed drug traffickers pose to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Not only was this defendant distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, but he also possessed multiple guns to further his drug trafficking activities. These firearms could have been used to endanger innocent people. Thanks to excellent law enforcement work, this armed drug dealer will spend 13 years in prison and will no longer be a threat to the citizens of Manchester.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck handled the forfeiture aspects of this case.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Catholic Medical Center Agrees to Pay $3.8 Million to Resolve Kickback-Related False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Catholic Medical Center (CMC) has agreed to pay $3.8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the civil False Claims Act by providing free call coverage services to a cardiologist to induce patient referrals, in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute.
According to the settlement agreement, the United States asserted that CMC, a hospital in Manchester, paid its own cardiologists to cover for, and to be available to provide medical services for, another cardiologist’s patients when she was on vacation or otherwise unavailable. The United States further alleged that CMC provided these call coverage services at no charge. The cardiologist who received the free call coverage referred millions of dollars in medical procedures and services to CMC over the decade in which the free services were provided. Because CMC submitted claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for the services referred by the cardiologist, the United States alleged that these claims were the result of unlawful kickbacks.
“The False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute protect patients and federal health care programs from fraud and abuse by removing the corrupting influence of money,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “When patients are referred for medical services, those referrals should be based solely on medical need and not affected by financial considerations. We work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of federal health care programs and we will use all appropriate enforcement tools to combat health care fraud in New Hampshire.”
“Kickback schemes can undermine our healthcare system, compromise medical decisions, and waste taxpayer dollars. As today’s settlement makes clear, the FBI will aggressively investigate those who seek to bolster their bottom line by paying illegal kickbacks—whether directly or indirectly—to circumvent safeguards designed to protect the integrity of federal health care programs,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
“Today’s settlement sends a clear message that these types of financial arrangements will not be tolerated. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that all medical providers properly follow health care rules and regulations,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. “I appreciate the partnership with the New Hampshire U.S. Attorney's Office in identifying and prosecuting this type of fraud.”
"Protecting TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty military personnel, retirees, and dependents, is a top priority for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General's Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS)," said Special Agent in Charge Patrick J. Hegarty, DCIS Northeast Field Office. "When health care facilities submit claims to TRICARE for services that are driven by financial reasons and not strictly medical ones, it undermines the integrity of the TRICARE program. Today's settlement agreement demonstrates the DCIS' ongoing commitment to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Hampshire, to investigate health care fraud."
The Anti-Kickback Statute makes it illegal for a hospital to pay physicians in exchange for referrals of government insured health care programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. It arose out of congressional concern that remuneration given to those who can influence health care decisions would result in the provision of medically unnecessary services, or services of poor quality or otherwise harmful to patients.
The False Claims Act permits whistleblowers to file civil lawsuits alleging that false claims have been submitted to the United States. This False Claims Act settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower, David Goldberg, M.D., a former CMC employee, who is represented by Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, P.C. As part of the settlement the whistleblower will receive a portion of the settlement amount.
CMC did not admit liability as part of this settlement agreement.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Fentanyl Trafficking and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Robert Audette, 32, of Manchester, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 12, 2019, Manchester police detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment Audette shared with his girlfriend, Quinn Pollock. A search of their room yielded $1,200 in counterfeit currency, drug paraphernalia, various drugs, and a loaded 9 mm handgun in the bed headboard. A search of Pollock’s vehicle revealed a backpack that Audette had been seen carrying during police surveillance. Officers had observed Audette place the backpack into the vehicle just prior to the search. The backpack contained a scale, 9 mm ammunition, and baggies containing over 40 grams of fentanyl.
Audette previously pleaded guilty on October 18, 2021. Pollock pleaded guilty to drug charges on November 20, 2020, an received a time-served sentence.
“Armed drug dealers present a serious threat to public health and safety,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Fentanyl traffickers endanger the community by selling a potent and deadly substance. When these drug peddlers are armed with firearms, the risk of violence and death is further increased. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with the Manchester Police Department to identify and prosecute armed drug traffickers and hold them accountable for their unlawful conduct.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Announces Justice Department Strategy to Combat Human TraffickingRead the Press Release
Department Strategy Supports National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
On Monday, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland released the Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
Rooted in the foundational pillars and priorities of the interagency National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which President Biden released on Dec. 3, 2021, the Justice Department's National Strategy is expansive in scope. It aims to enhance the department's capacity to prevent human trafficking; to prosecute human trafficking cases; and to support and protect human trafficking victims and survivors.
“Human trafficking is an insidious crime,” said Attorney General Garland. “Traffickers exploit and endanger some of the most vulnerable members of our society and cause their victims unimaginable harm. The Justice Department’s new National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking will bring the full force of the Department to this fight.”
“This national strategy will enhance the important work that is already being done in New Hampshire to combat human trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney John J. Farley. “Through the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, we work closely with a broad coalition of entities to address human trafficking using a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally-responsive approach. This joint effort is not just focused on prosecuting human traffickers. It is a comprehensive approach that includes training citizens to identify victims of human trafficking and providing victims with the assistance they need to escape from harmful situations and rebuild their lives.”
Among other things, the Justice Department’s multi-year strategy to combat all forms of human trafficking will:
- Strengthen engagement, coordination and joint efforts to combat human trafficking by prosecutors in all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and by federal law enforcement agents nationwide.
- Establish federally-funded, locally-led anti-human trafficking task forces that support sustained state law enforcement leadership and comprehensive victim assistance.
- Step up departmental efforts to end forced labor by increasing attention, resources and coordination in labor trafficking investigations and prosecutions.
- Enhance initiatives to reduce vulnerability of American Indians and Alaska Natives to violent crime, including human trafficking, and to locate missing children.
- Develop and implement new victim screening protocols to identify potential human trafficking victims during law enforcement operations and encourage victims to share important information.
- Increase capacity to provide victim-centered assistance to trafficking survivors, including by supporting efforts to deliver financial restoration to victims.
- Expand dissemination of federal human trafficking training, guidance and expertise.
- Advance innovative demand-reduction strategies.
The department’s strategy will be implemented under the direction of the National Human Trafficking Coordinator designated by the Attorney General in accordance with the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017.
If you believe that you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or Text 233733.
To read the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking click here.
For more information about the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, please visit: https://www.nhhumantraffickingtaskforce.com/
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Manchester Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Joshua Fields, 39, of Manchester was indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday and charged with bank robbery, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
Fields is presently detained in Massachusetts on unrelated charges.
The indictment filed in court alleges that on December 29, 2021, Fields robbed a Citizens Bank branch located in Londonderry, New Hampshire.
An indictment is only an allegation. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Londonderry Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Tara Hoisington, 34, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to two charges of possessing drugs with intent to distribute, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 20, 2020, a Manchester police officer was surveilling a house that was known to be used for drug activity and observed a vehicle operated by Hoisington leave the location. After stopping the vehicle for a traffic violation, the officer observed a crack pipe on the driver’s seat. Hoisington refused consent to search the vehicle. When the officer told her he would seek a search warrant, she asked for the $10,000 in the trunk that she claimed to be holding for a friend. After the officer denied her request, Hoisington and her passenger walked away from the scene.
Officers later obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and found $14,293.92, scales, cellphones, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. A data extraction of Hoisington’s cellphone included communications related to drug distribution.
On August 24, 2020, Manchester police officers again stopped Hoisington for a traffic violation. After the stop, Hoisington was arrested on outstanding warrants. After her arrest, Hoisington admitted that drugs were in the car. A search pursuant to a warrant yielded $3,120, packaging materials, cellphones, methamphetamine, and approximately 140 grams of fentanyl. She further admitted to drug distribution activities and confirmed the $14,293.29 that had been previously recovered from her vehicle was the proceeds of drug trafficking.
Hoisington is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1, 2022.
“Drug traffickers continue to threaten public safety in Manchester by seeking to profit from the sale of deadly substances,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Through Operation SOS, we are working closely with the Manchester Police Department to identify and prosecute the criminals who are selling fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the Queen City. These important enforcement efforts are taking drug dealers off the street and sending the message that those who choose to sell drugs in Manchester will face substantial consequences in federal court.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Candia Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Raymond Ted Estes, 56, of Candia, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2019, a Federal Bureau of Investigation undercover agent logged into a website known to be involved in the sexual exploitation of minors. Through the investigation, agents identified the defendant as one administrator for the website and determined that the defendant distributed child sexual abuse images to the undercover agent and others. Following additional investigation, on June 5, 2019, agents executed a federal search warrant for Estes’ residence. After agreeing to speak to agents, Estes admitted to uploading and downloading images of child sexual abuse material and that the images were on his phone and his gaming computer. In total, approximately 22,000 images/videos of child sexual exploitation were located on the defendant’s devices, from which 1207 images and 75 videos of known victims of child sexual exploitation were identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
“By possessing thousands of child exploitation images and distributing them online, this defendant perpetuated the abuse of the children who appeared in these horrific images,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “This substantial prison sentence demonstrates that these crimes are unacceptable. We will continue to work closely with the FBI and all our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation and pursue federal prosecutions of those who possess or distribute child sexual abuse material.”
"Sadly, online predators like Raymond Estes who exploit children are becoming too common. Today’s sentence should make it crystal clear that there is nowhere in cyberspace they can escape justice,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI is grateful for our collaborative partnerships across the state, and in this case the Candia Police Department, as we continue to combat crimes against New Hampshire’s youth.”
Estes previously pleaded guilty on October 25, 2021. He was also ordered to pay $26,000 in restitution and to forfeit computer media. Once his sentence is completed, Estes will be under supervised release for five years.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Candia Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le. The forfeiture portion of the matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Rite Aid Agrees to Pay $30,000 to Resolve Alleged Violations of the Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Rite Aid has agreed to pay $30,000 in civil monetary penalties to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act when its pharmacists filled forged prescriptions at a Rite Aid store in Manchester.
In the agreement, Maxi Drug North, Inc. d/b/a Rite Aid agreed to pay $30,000 to resolve allegations that its pharmacists filled 15 forged prescriptions for the same individual at its location at Mammoth Road in Manchester between October of 2016 and March of 2018.
Under the Controlled Substances Act, a valid prescription for a controlled substance must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her practice. Based on its investigation, the government alleged that the pharmacists at Rite Aid should have known that they were presented with invalid prescriptions that should not have been filled.
Rite Aid denied liability in this matter and cooperated with the government’s investigation.
“Criminals use a wide variety of methods to obtain controlled substances, including passing forged prescriptions,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “When pharmacies dispense controlled substances to customers, they have an obligation to ensure that the prescriptions they fill are legitimate. If a pharmacy does not adequately scrutinize prescriptions, potentially dangerous drugs can be diverted to unlawful uses that jeopardize public safety. We will use the Controlled Substances Act and all available tools to protect public health and safety in the Granite State. I am grateful to the DEA’s diversion investigators for their investigative work in this case and their ongoing efforts to protect the residents of New Hampshire.”
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz. The matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 66 Months for Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. –Laveneur Jackson, 41, of Lowell, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm on two separate occasions. Jackson was found guilty by a federal jury on September 28, 2021.
According to trial exhibits and witness testimony during the two-day jury trial, Jackson was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions. Despite this, on two separate occasions in December of 2016, Jackson unlawfully obtained firearms by having an acquaintance purchase them for him at two separate federally licensed gun stores in New Hampshire. Jackson then sold the guns to others in Massachusetts.
“When convicted felons get their hands on guns, they present a grave risk to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “By obtaining guns unlawfully and selling them in Massachusetts, the defendant not only committed a serious crime, but also put guns into the hands of others who may use them to commit crimes of violence. To protect public safety, we work closely with the ATF and our other law enforcement partners to prosecute gun crimes and keep dangerous felons off the streets.”
“ATF remains dedicated to investigating violent crime and disrupting straw purchasing schemes and today’s sentence is yet another example of the commitment we have made to tirelessly pursue those who violate federal firearms laws.” said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Boston Field Division. “Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of our communities and stop the flow of guns to individuals who cannot legally purchase them.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anna Krasinski and Seth R. Aframe, as well as former Assistant United States Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
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Grafton Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Methamphetamine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Chad Rombow, 47, of Grafton, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, methamphetamine, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 9, 2019, Drug Enforcement Administration agents received information about a suspicious package sent from Phoenix, Arizona to New Hampshire addressed to an individual in Lebanon (Person 1). After obtaining a warrant, investigators opened the package and found over 336 grams of methamphetamine.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Person 1’s residence. On May 10, 2019, after removing the drugs from the package, the investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the package. A co-defendant collected the package from the porch of the residence. Investigators subsequently learned that Rombow paid the co-defendant in methamphetamine to pick up packages of methamphetamine for him. Rombow intended to further distribute the methamphetamine that was in the package.
Rombow is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2022.
“Drug traffickers have been flooding New Hampshire with large quantities of methamphetamine,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “This dangerous and addictive drug is being brought into our state by drug dealers who are seeking to profit from the misery caused by this illegal substance. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the criminals who are bringing this drug into the Granite State and distributing it in our communities.”
“Rombow conspired to bring methamphetamine—a drug that has caused death and destruction in communities across the United States— into New Hampshire. HSI is proud to work alongside our local and federal partners to keep dangerous drugs out of New England,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office, which covers all of New England.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the New Hampshire State Police, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force, the Hartford, Vermont Police Department, and the Lebanon Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.
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Massachusetts Man Arrested for Conspiracy to Steal FirearmsRead the Press Release
William Guerrero, 20, of Brighton, Massachusetts was arrested today on a complaint charging him with participating in a conspiracy to steal firearms from federally licensed firearm dealers, U.S. Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to the complaint, law enforcement agents have been investigating a series of efforts to conduct burglaries at federally licensed firearms dealers on January 22 and 23, 2022. On January 23, 2022, at approximately 5:00 a.m., a vehicle pulled into the front of a firearms business in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Four males were captured on video surveillance attempting to gain access to the store by smashing a window of the rear door, but were unable to gain access. Similar attempted burglaries occurred at firearms dealers on January 22, 2022, in Salem, Plaistow, and Kingston.
Guerrero was arrested on January 24, 2022, in Massachusetts. Guerrero had an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge and was detained pending further proceedings.
The investigation is ongoing. Members of the public with information about these crimes are encouraged to contact the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
This matter is investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and multiple local and state police agencies in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana MacDonald.
The charges in the complaint are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Franklin Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Zachary Cote, 24, of Franklin, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 27, 2020, a federal search warrant was executed at a residence in Franklin where Cote was residing. The investigation stemmed from activity that occurred on a social media platform through an account that resolved back to Cote. Various electronic devices were seized during the search. Forensic review of the devices revealed the presence of over 2,500 images and over 300 videos depicting child sexual exploitation material.
During a consensual interview, Cote admitted viewing and possessing child sexual abuse material on his phone and trading the material with others online.
Cote previously pleaded guilty on September 20, 2021. Cote was ordered to pay $26,000 in restitution and will be under supervised release for eight years after the completion of his sentence.
“Protecting the innocence of children is one of the foremost obligations of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who possess and distribute graphic sexual images of children are drawing pleasure from horrific acts of child abuse and committing a serious federal crime. In our ongoing effort to protect young people from abuse, we will continue to work closely with the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute crimes related to images of child sexual abuse.”
“Now more than ever, our children need to be protected from predators seeking to exploit their innocence. Today’s sentence helps us do that by keeping Zachary Cote behind bars for quite some time. By his own admission, Mr. Cote had four phones filled with thousands of explicit images and hundreds of videos depicting kids under the age of 12 being sexually abused,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Sadly, his despicable actions revictimized the minors featured in these images and videos all over again. Investigating violent crimes against children is a top priority of ours at the FBI, and this case exemplifies how we will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure people like him are brought to justice.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance by the Franklin Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Pittsfield Man Sentenced to 97 Months for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Charles Paul Jansen, 36, of Pittsfield, was sentenced on Tuesday to 97 months in federal prison for distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 11, 2020, an undercover officer (UC) was conducting an investigation on Kik in an attempt to identify individuals using the platform to exchange child sexual abuse material. Kik is a social media platform that facilitates communication by users over the internet. The UC identified an individual who posted an image to a Kik group devoted to the exchange of child sexual abuse material. Further investigation indicated identified Jansen as the individual who posted the image. A search warrant was executed at his residence in Pittsfield. During a voluntary interview, Jansen admitted using Kik and other online applications to view, download, and store pornographic images, some of which contained child sexual abuse material. Jansen also admitted to committing contact sexual offenses against two children.
Jansen previously pleaded guilty on October 8, 2021. After serving his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for 5 years.
“Child pornography crimes are particularly harmful offenses that cause incalculable damage to young victims,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “While distributing child sexual abuse material is a serious crime, this defendant’s behavior was even more egregious because he admitted to sexually abusing two children. This substantial sentence holds Mr. Jansen accountable for his conduct and ensures that he cannot harm any more children. To protect the safety of innocent children, we work closely with the FBI and our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the predators who prey on children and distribute child pornography so they cannot cause more harm in our community.”
“Charles Jansen is a predator who admitted to sexually abusing two children, and using online platforms to view, download, and share images of child sexual abuse. What he did is absolutely despicable, and he is without a doubt, a serious danger to the community. While today’s sentence will keep him behind bars for quite some time, it will never make up for the lifetime of painful memories and harm he has inflicted on his victims and their families,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Cases like this one fuel the FBI’s commitment to identify, investigate, and hold others like him accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsfield Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Transportation of Stolen Property and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial NumberRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Nicholas Jewett, 30, formerly of Woburn, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to transportation of stolen property and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 26, 2020, Salem police responded to a report of suspicious activity involving a Cadillac at a motel. The officer sought to speak to Jewett, who was the operator of the Cadillac. Although, Jewett initially ignored the officer, the officer was able to stop him and approached the vehicle.
Jewett initially provided incorrect identifying information and was placed under arrest. He had an empty gun holster in his possession. The Cadillac was later searched pursuant to a warrant. Investigators found that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) was covered up with a label containing a fraudulent VIN. Investigators determined that the vehicle had been stolen from a Woburn car dealership. Also located in the vehicle was a .22 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number and a key fob for a Ford Fusion.
Further investigation revealed that Jewett had presented a false identity to rent the Fusion in Nashua on August 5, 2020. The car was never returned and was later reported stolen. The Fusion was subsequently located in a parking lot in Woburn on September 8, 2020.
Jewett is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28, 2022.
“When an armed criminal like this defendant appears at a motel while possessing a handgun and operating a stolen car, the risk to public safety is substantial,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Thanks to good police work, this criminal was stopped in his tracks before he could do more harm. This case is a great example of the way that law enforcement agencies work together to investigate crimes and protect the public from potential violence.”
“This case is a good example of what police officers face every day and how there is no such thing as a routine car stop. Today, Nicholas Jewett admitted to possessing two stolen vehicles, fake IDs, and a handgun with an obliterated serial number that he went to great lengths to conceal,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and reduce violent crime in our communities.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Salem Police Department, Woburn Police Department, and Nashua Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.
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Hampton Man with History of Gun Crimes Sentenced to 56 Months for Unlawful Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Sean R. Meola, 51, of Hampton, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of ammunition and 10 additional months for a supervised release violation, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 17, 2021, Hampton police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at Meola’s residence. Officers encountered an injured victim who reported that Meola had assaulted her and threatened to shoot her approximately two days earlier. The victim reported that Meola had a 9mm handgun. Officers obtained a search warrant for Meola’s residence. Officers seized 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition from the residence. Meola is legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of prior felony convictions.
At the time of the offense, Meola was on federal supervised release for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He has prior federal convictions for bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Meola previously pleaded guilty on August 16, 2021.
“To protect the public from violent crime, it is imperative that we keep firearms and ammunition out of the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “This dangerous felon committed multiple prior gun-related crimes and yet continued to possess ammunition while on federal supervised release. Such unlawful conduct threatens public safety and will not be tolerated. As this case demonstrates, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute violent criminals whose conduct threatens the residents of New Hampshire.”
“Keeping firearms and ammunition out of the hands of dangerous criminal offenders is one of the ATF’s top priorities,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge ATF Boston Field Division. “This is especially important when it comes to individuals who commit domestic violence. ATF is committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition, this is another way we prevent gun violence in our communities.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Hampton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.
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Lawrence Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Participating in a Conspiracy to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Santo Benito Lara, 48, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced on Monday to 120 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today. Lara was convicted by a federal jury on May 10, 2019.
Evidence presented during the four-day trial showed that beginning at least in May of 2018, the defendant participated in a conspiracy to sell fentanyl to a customer in Salem, New Hampshire. After the DEA received information about the conspiracy, it began an investigation into the Lara's activities. Between May and September of 2018, Lara and another individual sold fentanyl in Lawrence to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions.
Lara will likely face removal from the United States after serving his sentence.
“Drug traffickers who come to New Hampshire to sell fentanyl are endangering the lives of our state’s residents,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “This ten-year sentence demonstrates that those who sell fentanyl in the Granite State will be held accountable for their unlawful conduct. We will continue to work closely with the DEA and all our law enforcement partners to protect public safety by identifying and prosecuting the drug dealers who seek to profit from selling deadly substances in New Hampshire.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Essex County (MA) Sheriff’s Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anna Dronzek and Jarad Hodes.
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Former Vermont Man Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Paul Gracey, 57, formerly of Vermont, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to theft of government funds, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October 2014, Gracey was found disabled and eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the Social Security Administration (SSA). With limited exception, SSI benefits are available only to U.S. residents. Beneficiaries who leave the United States for more than 30 days or more consecutively are not considered to be back in the United States until the individual resides in the United States again for 30 days in a row.
Gracey was required to report certain changes, including whether he moved, within 10 days after the month the change took place. He moved to Mexico by February 2017 and was required to report that change to the SSA by March 2017. However, he never informed SSA of his move. Therefore, he was ineligible for SSI benefits until he reestablished residency in the United States.
Facebook records showed that Gracey admitted to living in Mexico between February 2017 and May 2021 to multiple people. During this timeframe, Gracey also asked several people in the United States to let him report their addresses to SSA as his own to cause the SSA to continue paying him SSI benefits. Due to his improperly reporting false addresses to the SSA, Gracey obtained $37,743 in SSI benefits he was not entitled to receive.
Gracey is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2022.
“Federal benefits provide important financial support to qualified individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who lie to obtain federal benefits are committing a serious federal crime. By moving to Mexico and creating a web of lies to continue to obtain SSI benefits, this defendant stole federal funds. Thanks to the hard work of the Office of the Inspector General, he is now being held accountable for his criminal conduct.”
“Supplemental Security Income is a needs-based safety net for the most vulnerable among us; Mr. Gracey intentionally concealed his living arrangements for several years to fraudulently receive benefits that he was not entitled to receive,” said Gail S. Ennis, Inspector General for the Social Security Administration. “My office will continue to hold accountable those who improperly obtain Social Security benefits. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen for prosecuting this case.”
This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.
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North Hampton Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Christopher Pierro, 29, of North Hampton, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 3, 2020, postal inspectors and police officers executed a search warrant at Pierro’s North Hampton residence. Investigators located nearly $80,000 in cash, a Rolex watch and other jewelry, body armor, drug packaging materials and an extensive amount of packaging consistent with mailed parcels. Investigators also located over 84 grams of methamphetamine.
Pierro previously pleaded guilty on August 3, 2021. Following his arrest, Pierro forfeited cash, cryptocurrency, and a substantial amount of additional property.
“Methamphetamine traffickers seek to reap profits from selling a very dangerous drug,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute these drug dealers and hold them responsible for their unlawful activities.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck assisted in the forfeiture portion of the case.
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Two Manchester Men Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Christopher Yule, 30, and Jacob Brady, 30, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking charges and related charges, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today. Yule pleaded guilty two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Brady pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 29, 2020, Manchester police detectives received information that a female would be traveling from Manchester to Lawrence, Massachusetts to obtain a significant amount of drugs for redistribution in New Hampshire. Surveillance officers observed her drive to Lawrence and park in an area known as a distribution “hot spot.” A vehicle registered to Yule parked close by and extinguished its lights. Within a minute, the cars departed. Surveillance units followed both vehicles.
When Yule’s vehicle entered Manchester, it was stopped by the police for a traffic violation and suspicion of drug activity. Brady was the driver of the vehicle. Yule and Brady both engaged in furtive movements within the vehicle as officers approached. Both individuals were instructed to step out of the vehicle. Brady explained that he and Yule traveled to Lawrence so Yule could meet with his source and purchase drugs. He further disclosed the drugs were in the glove compartment.
During the encounter, an officer observed through the window a tied-off glassine baggie protruding from a side compartment area. It contained a powder that appeared to be fentanyl. Yule consented to a search of the vehicle and officers located over 78 grams of fentanyl and over six grams of cocaine base.
On March 27, 2021, Hooksett police officers responded to a call reporting a male “passed out” in a rental van in a hotel parking lot known as a hot spot for drug activity in Hooksett. The caller stated a needle and firearm were visible in the vehicle. Officers found Yule slumped over in the driver’s seat with a needle and tourniquet visible next to him. Officers also saw a firearm in the open driver’s door compartment. After securing the firearm, they woke Yule.
Officers learned that Yule was a convicted felon and he was placed under arrest. During a search incident to arrest, officers located syringes in his pockets, $3,170 in his wallet and two small bags of suspected drugs, which Yule identified as “crack.”
On March 30, 2021, pursuant to a search warrant, officers searched the van and found over 58 grams of methamphetamine and over five grams of fentanyl. They also located holsters, loaded 9mm magazines, and other firearm accessories.
Yule and Brady are both scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2022.
“Drug trafficking continues to endanger the health and welfare of the residents of Manchester and other communities in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “Armed drug dealers are an even greater danger because their illegal behavior increases the risk of violence. By working with the Manchester Police Department to prosecute drug dealers like Yule and Brady, we are improving public safety in Manchester and throughout the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Hooksett Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Maine Woman Sentenced to 24 Months for Stealing over $200,000 from Her EmployerRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Raylene Vaillancourt, 68, of Eliot, Maine sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for wire and mail fraud, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Raylene Vaillancourt worked as the office manager for “Business A,” a limited liability company based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Vaillancourt was responsible for accounting and making payments to vendors.
Between at least April of 2009 and May of 2018, Vaillancourt embezzled money from Business A and its owner through various means, including: (a) making fraudulent checks drawn on Business A’s checking account; (b) making unauthorized transfers to her personal financial accounts for her personal expenses; and (c) making unauthorized online payments from Business A’s checking account to pay her personal credit card debt. As part of Vaillancourt’s scheme, she altered Business A’s internal accounting records to conceal her embezzlement from her employer. In total, Business A lost approximately $200,000 due to the defendant’s scheme.
Court documents also show that Vaillancourt stole money from at least three prior employers and previously was convicted of a federal charge of bank theft.
Vaillancourt previously pleaded guilty on June 17, 2021. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay restitution and forfeit $203,106.32 to the United States.
“Like many white-collar criminals, this defendant took advantage of the trust of others to steal large sums of money,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “By embezzling over $200,000 from her employer, Ms. Vaillancourt’s brazen actions caused significant financial harm and showed that she was not deterred from crime by a prior federal conviction. As this case demonstrates, we work closely with the FBI to identify and prosecute fraudsters and seek justice for the victims of their heartless crimes.”
“On at least four occasions, Raylene Vaillancourt abused the trust of her employers by stealing from them. In this case, she embezzled more than $122,0000 to pay the mortgage on her home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Ms. Vaillancourt has shown absolutely no remorse, and no respect for the law, and with today’s sentence, her crime spree has finally come to an end and she has been held accountable,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le. The forfeiture aspects of this matter were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Gianno Koeiman, 31, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 22, 2017, an undercover Salem police officer observed what he believed to be a drug transaction in the shoe department of a local store between Koeiman and a drug customer. The officer observed the men leave the store and get into separate vehicles. The drug customer stayed in his car and began to inject himself with drugs. After being approached by an officer, the customer confirmed he had just purchased one gram of heroin from the man in the shoe department.
In the meantime, a second Salem police officer followed Koeiman’s vehicle and stopped it. After explaining what the first officer observed in the shoe department, Koeiman responded that those observations were accurate. When asked if he had illegal substances in the car, Koeiman responded that he did and consented to a search of the trunk. The search revealed 95 baggies which contained a total of approximately 67 grams of fentanyl and 23 baggies which contained a total of approximately 16 grams of cocaine.
Koeiman previously pleaded guilty on August 30, 2021. In addition to his sentence, Koeiman was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
“Drug traffickers who come to New Hampshire to sell fentanyl and other dangerous substances should understand that their unlawful conduct will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “By brazenly selling drugs inside a store, this defendant endangered members of the public. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers whose illegal conduct jeopardizes public safety in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Salem Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.
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Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Stolen TrailersRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Robert Gramolini, 63, of Malden, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession or storage of stolen goods, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 16, 2020, Gramolini was seen on video stealing a black enclosed trailer from a business in Hampton, New Hampshire. Law enforcement located the stolen trailer at a storage lot in Brentwood on September 11, 2020. The owner of the storage lot confirmed Gramolini rented space on his lot to store trailers and other items and gave the officers permission to inspect the lot. In Gramolini’s space on the lot officers found, among other things, the trailer stolen from Hampton as well as three other trailers stolen from Massachusetts.
In a statement to law enforcement, Gramolini gave varying stories about how he acquired the trailers but admitted to stealing the Hampton trailer. He also said that he took one of the other trailers “off the side of the road.”
Gramolini is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26, 2022.
“I am grateful to the law enforcement officers whose hard work put an end to this defendant’s criminal activities and held him accountable for his unlawful conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “We work each day with our law enforcement partners to protect residents of the Granite State from crime and to seek justice for crime victims.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hampton Police Department, and the Brentwood Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
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John Farley Appointed as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire by Attorney General Merrick GarlandRead the Press Release
CONCORD – John J. Farley was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire effective January 1, 2022.
As the U.S. Attorney, Farley serves at the chief federal law enforcement officer in New Hampshire. He supervises all the attorneys and staff who prosecute federal criminal offenses and represent the United States in civil litigation.
Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire administered the oath of office to U.S. Attorney Farley.
“I am honored to serve as the United States Attorney in New Hampshire and am humbled by the Attorney General’s decision to entrust me with this significant responsibility,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “The men and women at the U.S. Attorney’s Office are dedicated public servants who work tirelessly to obtain just outcomes in all the civil and criminal matters handled by this office. As U.S. Attorney, I will continue to work closely with our outstanding staff and our superb law enforcement partners to protect public safety and pursue justice on behalf of the citizens of the Granite State.”
U.S. Attorney Farley began serving as the Acting U.S. Attorney on March 7, 2021, following the resignation of U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray. As a result of the Attorney General’s appointment, he will serve as the U.S. Attorney for a period of 120 days or until a U.S. Attorney is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. If a U.S. Attorney is not nominated and confirmed within that period, a U.S. Attorney will be appointed by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire.
A career public servant, U.S. Attorney Farley has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice for over 26 years. After clerking for U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan in the District of Columbia, he joined the Justice Department through the Honors Program in 1995. He first worked for the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section in the Department’s Criminal Division where he prosecuted drug cases in multiple locations, including Texas, California, and Puerto Rico. He then worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Massachusetts from 1998 to 2004, where he prosecuted drug and public corruption cases.
In 2004, he joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire. From 2004 to 2012, he worked in the Civil Division where he primarily handled civil health care fraud and civil rights matters. He then moved to the Criminal Division, where he served as the Lead Task Force Attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and prosecuted a wide variety of criminal cases. In 2016, he became the First Assistant U.S. Attorney. He previously served as Acting U.S. Attorney from March of 2017 to March of 2018.
Originally from Philadelphia, U.S. Attorney Farley has resided in New Hampshire for over 20 years. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Georgetown University Law Center. He and his wife are the proud parents of two teenage boys.
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Former Keene Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining CARES Act FundsRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Andre McBreairty, 45, previously of Keene, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to obtain CARES Act funds, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed several measures designed to help small businesses, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act created, among other things, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Under that program, businesses could obtain low-interest loans to meet payroll during the first few months of the pandemic. If the money was spent on payroll and other approved purposes such as utilities and rent, the Small Business Administration (SBA) would forgive the loans in full. Congress later passed the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act, which authorized a second tranche of PPP loans.
The SBA also opened up its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program to businesses. Under the program, businesses could obtain loans for working capital and normal operating expenses. EIDL applicants were also eligible for advances of up to $15,000, provided certain conditions were met. These advances generally do not need to be repaid.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant lied about his payroll and income to obtain three CARES Act loans. For example, when applying for a loan under the EIDL program, McBreairty falsely claimed that his annual income was $100,000. When applying for a PPP loan, he generated a false IRS form inflating his 2020 earnings. Overall, McBreairty obtained and misused $55,316 in CARES Act proceeds that he was not entitled to receive.
McBreairty, who now resides in Pennsylvania, is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14, 2022.
“Although Congress passed the CARES Act to provide financial assistance during the pandemic, some greedy individuals have used fraud to obtain funds they are not entitled to receive,” said U.S. Attorney Farley. “By submitting false documents and false information to obtain CARES Act funds, this defendant stole from the American taxpayers. Thanks to the hard work of federal law enforcement agents, he is now being held responsible for his unlawful conduct. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who defraud federal assistance programs.”
“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who endeavor to defraud programs afforded to the American people under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act,” said J. Russell George, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). “We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. Department Justice and our law enforcement partners in this effort.”
This matter was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and Social Security Administration’s Office for the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
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On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
John J. Flatley Company Enters into Consent Decree to Resolve Claims That It Violated the Fair Housing Act by Refusing to Permit Tenant to Have Emotional Support DogRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley announced today that United States District Judge Joseph Laplante has approved a consent decree resolving claims that John J. Flatley, d/b/a John J. Flatley Company (Flatley), and a property manager employed by Flatley, violated the Fair Housing Act (FHA).
In a complaint filed in April of 2021, the United States alleged that Flatley discriminated against a tenant in its apartment complex in Nashua by refusing to allow a reasonable accommodation of the tenant’s disability when the tenant sought to have an emotional support animal, a dog named Molly. The tenant, who experienced anxiety and depression, used Molly as an emotional support animal. After the tenant requested permission to have an emotional support animal at the apartment, Flatley and the property manager agreed to permit the tenant to have an emotional support animal, but not a dog. The complaint alleged Flatley would not permit tenants to have dogs as emotional support animals.
The United States and Flatley agreed to the entry of a consent decree, which Judge Laplante approved on December 27, 2021. The Consent Decree resolved the claims in the government’s complaint. Without admitting liability, Flatley agreed to pay the tenant $35,000, enact reasonable accommodation policies for its New Hampshire residential properties that comply with the FHA, and complete FHA training.
“Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We are pleased that the company has agreed to resolve this matter and is now instituting policies and conducting training so that individuals with disabilities are given equal housing opportunities. As this case demonstrates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and will vigorously enforce federal civil rights laws in the Granite State.”
“Protecting the rights of individuals and families when their fair housing rights are violated is central to HUD’s mission,” said Demetria L. McCain, HUD’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD commends the Department of Justice for reaching this settlement and for pursuing allegations of fair housing violations.”
This lawsuit arose from an administrative complaint filed by the tenant with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Upon investigation, HUD determined that there was reasonable cause to believe that the FHA had been violated. The tenant elected, pursuant to the FHA, to have HUD’s determination resolved in federal court.
The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and disability. Individuals who believe that they have been victims of housing discrimination can call the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743, email the Justice Department at [email protected] or contact HUD at 1-800-669-9777.
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
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Mont Vernon Attorney Convicted of Engaging in Multimillion Dollar Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Joseph A. Foistner, 67, of Mont Vernon, was found guilty on Thursday of four counts of bank fraud, as well as charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making misrepresentations during bankruptcy proceedings. The verdict was returned by Senior U.S. District Judge Paul Barbadoro on Thursday, December 23, 2021, following a two-week bench trial.
According to exhibits and witness testimony during the trial, Foistner used fraudulent means to apply for over $8 million in loans from five different financial institutions, laundered money, and made material misrepresentations during bankruptcy proceedings between 2015 and 2018. Foistner, at the time of the scheme, was a licensed attorney in Massachusetts. He did not have any paying clients and earned no income through his law firm. In order to obtain millions of dollars in loans from multiple financial institutions, Foistner provided banks with misleading documents that suggested that he was operating a lucrative law firm. For example, he claimed that he was a “seasoned attorney” with international clients and that his firm earned over a million dollars in annual income. In fact, all the firm’s purported income was based upon bogus, unpaid invoices the firm submitted to entities that the defendant controlled, including bankrupt entities. The defendant also made other false statements to obtain bank loans, including lying about whether he was involved as a party to any lawsuits and denying that he had an interest in other companies. He also falsely represented that he had a salary by mischaracterizing loan proceeds as a salary. In one of the bank fraud schemes, the defendant submitted false information to obtain a loan by claiming falsely that his wife was earning over $200,000 per year as a paralegal. Each of the loans made to Foistner were backed by either the Department of the Veterans Affairs or the Small Business Administration.
The evidence further showed that Foistner committed several crimes during Chapter 7 bankruptcy court proceedings in 2017 and 2018. He made false representations by falsely denying that he held or controlled property owned by others when he actually controlled funds that were held in the name of a business. He also made false statements under oath by lying about what happened to the proceeds of one of the fraudulent loans and lying about not knowing the location of a piece of real estate that had been purchased in part with funds he borrowed and had subsequently funneled into bank accounts not in his name.
Foistner is scheduled to be sentenced on April 4, 2022.
“While no one is entitled to commit fraud, this defendant’s crimes were particularly egregious because they were committed by an attorney,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The evidence in this case demonstrated that Foistner engaged in a shocking pattern of fraudulent and deceitful conduct to obtain millions of dollars from financial institutions and that he told a host of lies in his efforts to further his scheme and cover his tracks during bankruptcy proceedings. With this guilty verdict, Foistner finally is being held accountable for his lengthy pattern of lying and manipulation. I am grateful to all of the federal agents and prosecutors who worked hard to investigate and prosecute this significant fraud case.”
“Joseph Foistner took advantage of programs that were designed to help veterans achieve home ownership, and small businesses expand and develop. In fraudulently collecting millions of dollars, his lies and deceit have not only hurt himself, but every citizen whose tax dollars support these federally funded programs,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI is determined to work with our partners to hold anyone who commits such fraud accountable.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Office of Inspector General of the Small Business Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles L. Rombeau, Seth R. Aframe and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella, Assistant U.S. Attorneys John S. Davis and Kasey Weiland previously worked on this matter.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Ramon Guerrero, 39, of Manchester, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between February 27, 2020, and March 11, 2020, a cooperating individual working with the Manchester Police Department arranged to purchase fentanyl on two occasions from Guerrero and Gabriel Rivera at an apartment in Manchester. While in the apartment, the cooperator observed quantities of suspected fentanyl, crack, and methamphetamine.
On May 15, 2020, detectives observed Guerrero and a woman check into a local motel at 3:30 am under the woman’s name. After obtaining arrest and search warrants, officers entered the room. Detectives discovered $9,254, cocaine, and fentanyl in pill form. A subsequent search of the apartment found Rivera sitting on a couch with an open fanny pack next to him, an open safe at his feet, and a 9 mm handgun tucked behind the cushion. On his person, detectives located $1,151. The safe and pack contained over 4 grams of crack, over 76 grams of cocaine and over 162 grams of fentanyl. Court records confirm that Rivera is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm.
At the time of this offense, Guerrero was on federal supervised release after serving a 102-month sentence for a prior drug trafficking crime.
Guerrero and Rivera pleaded guilty on August 3, 2021. Rivera was sentenced to 90 months on November 24, 2021. The currency and firearms were forfeited to the United States.
“Ramon Guerrero is a repeat offender who was not deterred by a prior federal prison sentence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Rather than conform his conduct to the law, he chose to return to drug trafficking and sought to profit from the sale of fentanyl and other extremely dangerous drugs. Thanks to the hard work of the Manchester Police Department, this dangerous drug trafficker and his partner will no longer be able to endanger our community by selling deadly substances.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck handled the forfeiture aspects of this matter.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Gilford Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Stephen Johnstone, 32, of Gilford, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 21, 2020, New Hampshire State Probation and Parole officers made contact with Johnstone, who was a state parolee under their supervision. Johnstone appeared to be in possession of baggies of methamphetamine. The officers requested assistance from the Laconia Police Department.
Johnstone’s car was impounded and searched pursuant to a state search warrant. Detectives found a backpack containing a Ruger .380 handgun with five rounds of ammunition, over 680 grams of methamphetamine, over 170 grams of cocaine, and other evidence of drug trafficking. As a convicted felon, Johnstone was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
“Armed drug dealers pose a significant threat to public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Although drug traffickers endanger the lives of our citizens by peddling deadly substances, the danger is enhanced when drug dealers possess firearms. As this case demonstrates, we will seek substantial prison sentences for the armed drug traffickers whose conduct threatens the security of communities in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Laconia Police Department and New Hampshire State Probation and Parole Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Henniker Man Found Guilty of Unlawfully Possessing a Pipe BombRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that a federal jury found James Leonard, 36, of Henniker, guilty of unlawfully possessing a destructive device. The verdict was returned on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
According to trial exhibits and witness testimony during the three-day jury trial, on June 12, 2018, the Bennington Police Department was called to the defendant’s apartment for a noise complaint. When the police arrived, they heard a male yelling and screaming. The police attempted to contact the defendant by knocking at his front door but were unable to contact him. The police went around to the back side of the apartment to a slider door in an effort to speak with the defendant. While they were at the back slider door, the police smelled an odor of burnt marijuana. Officers later obtained and executed a search warrant for the defendant’s residence. During the search, they located marijuana and the component parts for a pipe bomb.
The police contacted the New Hampshire State Police Bomb Squad who responded to the defendant’s residence to assist in the investigation and gather the explosive material. The ATF subsequently identified the explosive material and determined that the defendant had all the necessary component parts to readily assemble a destructive device, specifically, an explosive pipe bomb. This combination of parts was not registered on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.
Leonard, who is detained, faces up to ten years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 28, 2022.
“By constructing a pipe bomb in his residence, this defendant placed his neighbors and the community in danger,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Thanks to good police work, law enforcement officers were able to secure this potentially-deadly device and prevent any individuals from being harmed. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect public safety and prevent acts of violence in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Bennington Police Department. The Hancock, Antrim, and Francestown Police Departments also assisted with this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.
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Manchester Man Faces Additional Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Michael Francis, 34, of Manchester, was indicted on Monday by a federal grand jury and charged in a superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, cocaine; possession of over 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute; possession of over 400 grams of fentanyl and over 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements in court, Francis was arrested on September 1, 2021, for parole violations. At the time of his arrest, there was a holster under the driver’s seat of his vehicle. Law enforcement agents later obtained a warrant to search Francis’ Manchester residence and recovered four loaded handguns, two of which were stolen. Law enforcement officers also recovered over 400 grams of suspected fentanyl and over 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine. The charges allege that Francis is prohibited from possessing firearms due to at least one prior felony conviction.
Francis was originally indicted on September 15, 2021, and charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. Francis has been detained pending trial.
“To protect public safety in Manchester, we are working closely with the Manchester Police Department and all our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute drug trafficking and firearms crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This case is an example of the close working partnership that we have with federal law enforcement agencies and the Manchester Police Department. This collaborative effort to protect Manchester residents from drug trafficking and gun-related crimes is an important priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“Shutting down the illegal gun and drug trade is key to reducing violent crime and saving lives. The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify individuals and criminal organizations that we believe pose threats to the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
“This proves how newly implemented crime reducing initiatives and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies has been successful,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “We hear the community concerns about safety, and we will continue to work hard to investigate, identify, and arrest those engaged in criminal activity.”
The charges in the superseding indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joachim Barth and Aaron Gingrande.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael Rand, 36, of Rochester, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to distribution of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October of 2019 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received a tip that Rand was selling heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Dover and Rochester areas. Working with a cooperating individual, the FBI arranged for a controlled purchase of fentanyl at Rand’s apartment in November of 2019.
Rand is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22, 2022.
“Fentanyl trafficking endangers lives and damages communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We work closely with the FBI and all our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are peddling fentanyl and other dangerous drugs in the Granite State.”
“Today, Michael Rand admitted to selling the deadly drug fentanyl which is associated with the vast majority of drug overdose deaths in New Hampshire,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution of fentanyl and to bring to justice those like Rand who are pushing highly addictive drugs on our streets and into the hands of addicts.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.
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Maine Woman Pleads Guilty to Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Deborah Cross, 65, of Sanford, Maine pleaded guilty on Wednesday in federal court to distributing methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 4, 2018, a cooperating individual purchased over 60 grams of methamphetamine from Cross at a residence in Franklin, New Hampshire. The cooperating individual made the purchase while working with law enforcement agents and wearing a video and audio recording device.
Cross is scheduled to be sentenced on March 30, 2022.
“To protect our community from the dangerous effects of methamphetamine, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the dealers who are distributing this potentially-deadly substance,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Given the horrific impact that methamphetamine can have on its users, we will not hesitate to bring federal charges against those who seek to profit from selling this dangerous illegal drug.”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a large-scale drug trafficking organization, or an individual like Deborah Cross who was distributing methamphetamine out of her home in Franklin, NH, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do everything we can to put those who have furthered the scourge of drugs in our neighborhoods out of business,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Keene Couple Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jason Martin, 36, and Heidi Compos, 54, of Keene, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, controlled substances, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in September of 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Compos was engaged in the distribution of drugs in the Keene area. With the assistance of a cooperating individual, officers arranged for three separate controlled purchases of drugs in October and November of 2019. Martin was at the residence he shared with Compos and provided fentanyl and crack cocaine to the cooperator during the first transaction. Compos conducted the second transaction involving fentanyl and crack cocaine. She also sold fentanyl during the third transaction.
A search warrant was executed at the defendants’ Keene residence on November 21, 2019. Both Compos and Martin were at the residence at the time of the search. Located in their shared bedroom was a bag containing approximately $15,064 in cash and bags of fentanyl and cocaine.
Compos pleaded guilty on December 6, 2021, and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2022. Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2022.
“Drug traffickers endanger the community by selling illegal substances that have the potential to kill,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “To protect the public, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are profiting from the sales of dangerous and addictive substances in the Granite State.”
“Compos and Martin sought to distribute fentanyl and cocaine—deadly drugs that have ruined lives and families in New Hampshire. HSI is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate those seeking to sell these illicit substances in our communities,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office.
This matter was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Keene Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.
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Justice Department Awards More Than $17.5 Million to Support Project Safe NeighborhoodsRead the Press Release
$89,997 Awarded for projects in the District of New Hampshire
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice announced today that it has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to support the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. Funding will support efforts across the country to address violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. The New Hampshire Department of Justice was awarded $89.997 to administer PSN grant funds in the District of New Hampshire.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), will administer the 88 grant awards, which are being made to designated fiscal agents to support local PSN projects that work in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
“This latest Project Safe Neighborhoods grant is critical to addressing the violent crime threatening cities and towns all across our country,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “Ensuring the safety of all Americans is the highest priority for the Department of Justice, but when it comes to violent crime, there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We have to work closely with local public safety agencies as well as community organizations to craft individual strategies unique to each community’s needs. Programs like Project Safe Neighborhoods and the funding it provides allow us to do just that.”
“Project Safe Neighborhoods is a key part of our overall effort to keep the citizens of New Hampshire safe from violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “These funds will help our local law enforcement partners to keep our communities secure. This is just one example of our ongoing work to protect public safety in the Granite State.”
Grant funds will be used to fund law enforcement efforts in several communities in New Hampshire. With approval from BJA, the Fiscal Agent will begin the process of making subawards for PSN grant projects.
“Investing in our communities, supporting victims and building a justice system that both keeps people safe and earns their trust – these are mutually reinforcing goals that stand at the heart of Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon for OJP. “The Office of Justice Programs is pleased to join with our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and with jurisdictions across the country, as we work together to meet the challenges of crime and violence and achieve our shared aspirations of public safety and community trust.”
In May 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced a new effort to reduce violent crime, including the gun violence that is often at its core. Integral to that effort was the reinvigoration of PSN, a two-decade old evidence-based and community-oriented program focused on reducing violent crime. The updated PSN approach, outlined in the department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime issued by Deputy Attorney General Monaco, is guided by four key principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results of our efforts. The fundamental goal is to reduce violent crime, not simply to increase the number of arrests or prosecutions.
This fall, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have enhanced their violent crime reduction efforts to ensure alignment with the department’s comprehensive violent crime reduction strategy. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices have engaged in outreach to law enforcement and other agencies and organizations serving communities to identify the most significant drivers of violence in their districts. Working together with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are addressing the most pressing violent crime issues in their district to make our neighborhoods safer for all.
PSN programs are led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in collaboration with local public safety agencies, community stakeholders and other agencies and organizations that work to reduce violent crime.
For a list of all grantees, please visit:
https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/FY21-Project-Safe-Neighborhoods-Awards.pdf
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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.
Salem Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Brian Perez, 31, of Salem, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 11, 2021, agents opened a suspicious package sent by UPS from the greater Los Angeles, California area to an unspecified apartment at an address in Salem. The box contained over two kilograms of methamphetamine. Additional shipping records revealed that since April 10, 2021, this was the ninth package sent from the Los Angeles area to the same address in Salem.
On May 19, 2021, investigators intercepted another suspicious UPS package destined for the Salem address. After obtaining a search warrant, they discovered over 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine. The contents were replaced with an innocuous filler and an undercover officer delivered the package to the front foyer of the Salem address. Later that day agents observed a van arrive at the Salem address. Perez entered the foyer and examined the package. Perez then left the foyer and entered the van. Investigators detained Perez and his passenger. During a safety sweep of the van, investigators observed the subject package in plain view. Perez had a receipt on his person showing a receipt for a parcel that was destined for Miami Beach. The parcel was located and searched pursuant to a warrant. Among other items, it contained a clear plastic bag containing orange pills that contained approximately 363 grams of methamphetamine.
Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2022.
“Drug traffickers are shipping large quantities of methamphetamine to the Granite State for distribution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “These traffickers are seeking to profit from the sale of methamphetamine without regard to the drug’s harmful impact on our community. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are bringing this dangerous substance into New Hampshire and selling it in our local communities.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police and Salem Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms CrimesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Quentin Simon, a/k/a "Q", 37, of Manchester, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May of 2020, a cooperating individual told Manchester police detectives that Simon was selling crack, fentanyl and pills out of his apartment. After completing a series of controlled buys between the cooperator and Simon between May 5 and August 12, 2020, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Simon and search warrant for his apartment.
On August 18, 2020, detectives arrested Simon and executed the search warrant. Throughout the apartment, detectives located items indicative of drug distribution and controlled substances. Cash totaling $79,848 was also located. Lab analysis confirmed the drugs totaled over 1,168 grams of cocaine and over 115 grams of crack cocaine. A .380 caliber handgun and ammunition were in proximity to a large container of cocaine.
Simon is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2022. The cash, gun, and a large collection of sneakers were all seized and forfeited as a result of this prosecution.
“Armed drug traffickers present a serious threat to public safety in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As part of our continued partnership with the Manchester Police Department, we are working to identify and prosecute the armed drug dealers who endanger the citizens of Manchester. By prosecuting these dangerous individuals, we will reduce the risk of violent crime in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth. Forfeiture aspects of this case were handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Michael A Clemence, 36, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February of 2020, the Homeland Security Investigations New Hampshire office received information that on April 28, 2019, an individual originating from an IP address at a Rochester residence had accessed a website known for sharing child sexual abuse and exploitation material. Clemence was identified as the subscriber of the target IP address.
On May 26, 2021, agents conducted a consensual interview with Clemence. They advised him they were investigating internet activity associated with child exploitation material and that some of the activity occurred in April of 2019 from the IP address associated with his previous address. Clemence made no admissions but volunteered that his wife had previously found disturbing material on their home computer and that they subsequently wiped the computer’s hard drive and gave the computer away. Clemence’s wife later confirmed that in May of 2019, she discovered thousands of images of what appeared to be child exploitation material on Clemence’s laptop computer.
After further investigation, a search warrant was executed at Clemence’s residence, which resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices. Forensic examination of the devices confirmed the presence of child exploitation material. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 1,351 images as depicting known minor victims.
Clemence is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21, 2022.
“Protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation is among the most significant duties of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who possess or distribute sexually explicit images of children are further exploiting the innocent youths who were abused during the creation of these images. To protect young children from exploitation, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who commit crimes related to child pornography.”
“Child exploitation material is an enduring record of the terrible abuse of children. Those who seek out and collect that material create a market for its production and the continued exploitation of children,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue our work alongside our partners at the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children task force to ensure those like this individual face the consequences for their participation in these horrible crimes.”
This matter was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Rochester Police Department and Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland.
In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Antwone Francis, 31, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 15, 2020, a cooperating source told a Nashua police detective that Francis was selling fentanyl in Nashua and provided pricing and a telephone number. On October 7, 2020, an undercover law enforcement officer called Francis and arranged to purchase fentanyl from Francis at a fast food restaurant in Merrimack.
Francis is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2021.
“Fentanyl is a deadly substance that continues to cause grave damage in communities throughout New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “By identifying and prosecuting the drug dealers who are selling fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, we are seeking to improve public safety in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
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Dover Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Fentanyl Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Marc Martin, 44, of Dover, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for two counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June of 2019, Dover police were notified that Martin was suspected of distributing drugs from his Dover apartment. On June 19, 2019, detectives conducted surveillance of Martin’s apartment and observed a male enter and leave the apartment within a few minutes. Officers confronted the male and he admitted he had just purchased fentanyl from Martin in the apartment. After obtaining a search warrant, officers entered the apartment and located over 32 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging, and a cell phone that contained evidence of drug activity.
On January 14, 2020, the same detectives followed Martin as he drove to Massachusetts and pulled into a parking lot in Amesbury. After a brief period, Martin drove northbound back to New Hampshire, where he was stopped for speeding. During the stop, Martin admitted he had drugs with him and relinquished a bag containing over 39 grams of fentanyl.
Martin previously pleaded guilty on August 25, 2021.
“Fentanyl traffickers continue to cause serious harm to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “To protect the public from the grave harm caused by fentanyl, we will continue to work closely with the Dover Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are selling fentanyl and other deadly substances in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Dover Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
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Boscawen Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Adam Beck, 26, of Boscawen, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for four drug trafficking charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in October of 2020, investigators with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force received information from a cooperating individual that Beck was distributing drugs around Boscawen and Warner. The cooperator assisted law enforcement officers in making controlled buys of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Beck. Officers also conducted surveillance of Beck and observed him engaging in hand-to-hand drug transactions.
On December 10, 2020, investigators arrested Beck on drug distribution charges. On his person, they found approximately $1,200 and a small bag containing fentanyl. That same day, investigators obtained a search warrant for a Webster residence associated with Beck. During the search, investigators located nearly $15,000, approximately a pound and a half of methamphetamine, approximately 100 grams of fentanyl, and other incriminating items in a room that belonged to Beck.
Beck previously pleaded guilty on August 20, 2021.
“Methamphetamine and fentanyl are dangerous drugs that are damaging far too many lives in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that drug dealers who seek to profit from selling these deadly substances are held responsible for their unlawful conduct. This substantial sentence will ensure that Mr. Beck cannot endanger further lives by selling drugs in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Drug Task Force, Concord Police Department, Merrimack County Sheriff's Department, Webster Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Participating in Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Eduardo Contreras, 31, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Thursday to 60 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately 2015 and November 30, 2017, Contreras conspired with a New Hampshire-based drug distributor to distribute fentanyl. Contreras provided the fentanyl to the New Hampshire trafficker for distribution to customers in New Hampshire and Maine. On several occasions, Contreras used couriers to transport fentanyl and the proceeds of drug transactions.
Contreras previously pleaded guilty on August 26, 2021.
“Fentanyl traffickers who seek to profit from the sale of this deadly substance are causing significant damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As this prosecution demonstrates, we continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who are bringing fentanyl into the Granite State. As Mr. Contreras has now learned, fentanyl traffickers who do business in New Hampshire will face substantial federal prison sentences.”
“Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Contreras accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis in America, trafficking narcotics across state lines,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “This investigation demonstrates the strength of our interstate, collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“Contreras was the conduit through which fentanyl flowed into New Hampshire and Maine. HSI is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and seek prosecution for those who seek to bring these deadly drugs into our communities,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations’ Boston Field Office, which covers all of New England.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Manchester Police Department, the Tilton Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and the New Hampshire State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Cole Davis and Seth R. Aframe.
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Merrimack Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Kyle Mehlhorn, 28, of Merrimack, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for multiple drug trafficking and firearm charges, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 27, 2020, Manchester police officers observed a vehicle with wrongfully attached license plates and made a traffic stop. Mehlhorn was the driver and he had a female passenger. A records check of Mehlhorn revealed his license and registration were suspended and he was placed under arrest. The passenger was cooperative and identified her belongings in the vehicle. On November 2, 2020, after obtaining a search warrant, Manchester police officers searched the vehicle and found over 209 grams of methamphetamine, over 28 grams of fentanyl, various items used in drug packaging, $13,800 in cash, and two loaded firearms. At the time of his arrest, Mehlhorn was a previously convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
In January of 2021, Mehlhorn was arrested in Boston on a complaint from the District of New Hampshire. Mehlhorn was armed with a 9 mm handgun and was carrying a backpack containing over 196 grams of methamphetamine and over 187 grams of fentanyl. A subsequent search warrant for the vehicle revealed an additional .22 caliber handgun.
Mehlhorn previously pleaded guilty on August 6, 2021. He will forfeit the firearms and cash seized in January of 2021. The money and firearms seized in October of 2020 have already been forfeited.
“Armed drug traffickers like Kyle Mehlhorn pose a serious threat to the community by carrying deadly weapons and selling dangerous substances,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As a convicted felon, Mehlhorn should not have had a gun. Instead, he possessed multiple guns while peddling significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. This lengthy sentence shows that the law enforcement community is working hard to protect the Granite State from violent crime and to hold armed criminals accountable for their actions.”
“Armed with multiple firearms and deadly drugs, Kyle Mehlhorn is responsible for bringing danger and violence to our neighborhoods, and for this, he will spend significant time behind bars, said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI’s New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of armed drug dealing criminals.”
“This investigation and subsequent arrest of the defendant is another example of the outstanding work being done by the officers and detectives of the Manchester Police Department,” said Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “We continue to value our state and local law enforcement partnerships which greatly assist in holding people such as this defendant accountable for their behavior.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Hampshire State Police, the Manchester Police Department, the Concord Police Department, the Gorham Police Department, and the Boston (MA) Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck assisted with forfeiture aspects of this matter.
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California Man Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jesse Hernandez, 58, of Los Angeles, California pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to wire fraud, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May of 2019, a Portsmouth- based marketing company (TH) was retained by a client for a marketing campaign to help introduce a new ice cream product in the San Francisco, California area. The events would include a specialty-branded truck that was wrapped in the product’s marketing art and contained multiple specifications for ease of service and proper storage of the ice cream. TH vetted three companies for the job of creating the truck. Hernandez represented a company called Mobie Experiential Trucks (Mobie). Hernandez appeared to be capable and less expensive than the next vendor. He provided a slide presentation to TH personnel and talked through it over the telephone. The images in the presentation were later determined to display products done by other companies and pictures taken from the internet by Hernandez to misrepresent his experience and work.
TH selected Hernandez and Mobie as the company to perform the work in mid-June of 2019 with a delivery date of July 9, 2019. Hernandez demanded full payment prior to delivery of the truck. TH sent a check in the amount of $36,941 on July 3, 2019. On July 8, 2019, TH personnel traveled to California to retrieve the truck. The defendant never delivered any truck and was unresponsive to inquiries from TH.
After federal investigators became involved in the case in the fall of 2019, they interviewed Hernandez. Hernandez stated that he received the check from TH, deposited the funds, and used them for purposes unrelated to the TH truck. He acknowledged that he was not going to deliver the truck.
Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8, 2022. As part of his plea agreement, Hernandez agreed to pay restitution to TH in the amount of $46,615.29.
“Fraudsters can use a host of different methods to steal from their victims and we all must remain vigilant to protect ourselves from scammers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This defendant’s fraud scheme used lies and misrepresentations to defraud a New Hampshire company out of thousands of dollars. Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, this schemer has been held responsible for his criminal conduct.”
“Jesse Hernandez defrauded a Portsmouth, NH marketing company out of tens of thousands of dollars by failing to deliver on his promises, while also misrepresenting his experience and work. Today, his lies finally caught up with him and he accepted responsibility for this fraudulent scheme,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Despite these challenging times we are all navigating, scammers are still doing everything they can to defraud people of their hard-earned money and we want everyone to know that the FBI is doing everything we can to make sure they don’t succeed.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau.
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Amherst Man Sentenced to 33 Months for Threatening Members of Congress and New Hampshire State RepresentativeRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Ryder Winegar, 34, of Amherst, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for six counts of threatening members of Congress and one count of transmitting interstate threatening communications, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours of December 16, 2020, Winegar left voicemails at the offices of six members of the United States Congress in the District of Columbia. The calls were directed at three Senators and three members of the House of Representatives. In some of the messages, Winegar identified himself by name or identified his telephone number. The voicemails threatened to hang the members of Congress if they did not “get behind Donald Trump.”
The messages included very specific threats of violence. For example, in one message, Winegar allegedly said, “I got some advice for you. Here’s the advice, Donald Trump is your president. If you don’t get behind him, we’re going to hang you until you die.” In another message, Winegar said, “And it really, really, it boils down to two camps. You either support our president, support liberty, and f*** this global homo, uh, vaccination Jewish agenda, or you’re not. In which case we’re going to f***ing kill you. Do you understand?”
Members of the U.S. Capitol Police attempted to interview Winegar on December 20, 2020. Winegar refused to speak with the officers. On the following day, before investigators could return with search and arrest warrants, Winegar flew to Brazil, leaving his family behind. Winegar was taken into custody when he returned to the United States on January 11, 2021.
Following his arrest on about January 11, 2021, investigators learned of a separate, e-mailed threat to a member of the New Hampshire State House of Representatives on December 14, 2020, in which Winegar threatened to pull the representative from his bed and hang him.
Winegar previously pleaded guilty on August 6, 2021. He has been in custody since his January arrest. In addition to his sentence, Winegar was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine.
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that threats of violence have no place in our political discourse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “While all citizens are free to express their political opinions, it is unlawful to threaten to commit acts of violence against members of Congress or members of the state legislature. This defendant’s graphic threats were a troubling attempt to intimidate lawmakers and a direct assault on the functioning of our constitutional system. This sentence should send a message to the community that those who threaten to commit acts of violence against duly-elected legislators will be held accountable for their unlawful conduct.”
“Threatening to attack and kill six members of Congress and a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives to prevent them from carrying out their constitutional duties is a federal crime, not protected speech. Let’s hope that today’s sentence finally teaches Ryder Winegar that important lesson,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “As the events of this past year have shown, the FBI will do everything it can to ensure those who seek to harm our public servants are brought to justice for their criminal conduct.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Amherst Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Nashua Man Sentenced to 51 Months for Firearm ChargeRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Paul Channell, 31, of Nashua, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2020, Channell was arrested for driving under the influence by the Hudson Police Department. As a result of the arrest, a tow truck was called and the police began an inventory of the vehicle pursuant to their inventory policy. The police located a Glock 26 handgun with an extended magazine and a round in the chamber. Channell was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition because he was convicted of a felony in 2018. He was also on supervised release at the time of his arrest.
Channell previously pleaded guilty on August 13, 2021.
“To protect our community from violent crime, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “A convicted felon in possession of a loaded handgun presents a clear danger to public safety. We will continue to seek substantial prison sentences for armed criminals so that they cannot endanger the hardworking and law-abiding citizens of the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Hudson Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Walsh.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
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Manchester Woman Sentenced to 40 Months for Participating in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Melissa Gazaway, 34, of Manchester, was sentenced to 40 months for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and crack cocaine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the spring of 2020, investigators received information from confidential sources that Gazaway and her co-defendants, Jovan and Chrystal Callaghan, were selling crack cocaine and fentanyl from their residence in Manchester. Law enforcement officers learned that Gazaway and Chrystal Callaghan would travel to New York to purchase crack cocaine. On three separate occasions, officers conducted lawful traffic stops of their vehicle returning from New York and seized over 300 grams of crack cocaine. In late 2020, confidential sources conducted six controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from the three co-defendants.
On December 24, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and seized over one kilogram of fentanyl and a firearm, along with large amounts of cash and drug use and packaging materials.
Chrystal Callaghan was sentenced on July 28, 2021, to 54 months. Jovan Callaghan was sentenced on September 21, 2021, to 60 months.
Gazaway previously pleaded guilty on April 20, 2021.
“This case is another example of our ongoing efforts to prosecute drug dealers in Manchester,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who seek to profit by selling dangerous drugs like fentanyl and crack cocaine are endangering lives in our community. To protect public safety, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who threaten the quality of life in Manchester and other communities in the Granite State.”
“This case serves as another example of how frequently the Manchester Police Department is locating illegal drugs in the company of firearms. This is a dangerous combination and will not be tolerated within the City of Manchester,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “The Manchester Police Department will continue to seek federal charges for this type of behavior. We are thankful for the excellent relationship this agency has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their continued commitment to these cases.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hampshire State Police, the Manchester Police Department, and the Nashua Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. MacDonald and Jennifer Cole Davis.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Five Robberies in Manchester and GoffstownRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jonathan McKnight, 39, of Manchester, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to interference with commerce by threats and violence by committing five robberies, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2020, McKnight robbed a convenience store in Manchester. He passed a note to the clerk indicating he had a gun and that he wanted all the money. On March 28, 2020, McKnight robbed another convenience store in Manchester. He passed a note to the clerk ordering the clerk to give him the money. He further gestured toward his back waistband while lifting up his sweatshirt. An officer who reviewed the store video footage recognized McKnight as the person in the video. On March 30, 2020, Manchester police officers conducted a post-arrest interview with McKnight. He admitted to committing both robberies and passing the same note at each robbery. While acknowledging the had claimed to have a gun during the robberies, but he stated he did not possess a gun during the robberies.
On July 7, 2020, Manchester police officers responded to another robbery. The cashier gave the officers a description and told them that the robber had placed a note on the counter. The cashier gave him approximately $100-$150 from the drawer, mostly $1.00 bills. After reviewing the video footage, officers located McKnight wearing the same clothing worn by the robber. He had approximately $60, including approximately 25 $1.00 bills.
On March 7, 2021, and March 10, 2021, McKnight committed additional robberies at two separate locations in Goffstown. Investigators received a tip that McKnight committed both robberies and McKnight later admitted that he committed both robberies.
McKnight is scheduled to be sentenced on March 7, 2021.
“Robberies are violent crimes that can cause harm to victims and spread fear in communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “To protect the public from violent crime, we are working closely with all our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals like Mr. McKnight who threaten the community. Thanks to these joint efforts, McKnight’s robbery spree has been stopped and he has been held accountable for his unlawful actions.”
“Today Jonathan McKnight confessed to a string of convenience store robberies in which he threatened a firearm and terrorized innocent bystanders just to get his hands on some quick cash. Had he not been identified and arrested by investigators, there’s a good chance he’d still be at it,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI and our partners at the Manchester Police Department are committed to taking violent criminals off the street to keep them from victimizing anyone else.”
These matters were investigated by the Manchester Police Department and Goffstown Police Department with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Walsh.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 100 Months for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD - Jason Hart, 48, of Manchester, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 9, 2019, a New Hampshire State Police trooper conducted a traffic stop of a truck operated by Hart. Hart was ultimately arrested because he provided a false name and address and refused to provide his true identity. Troopers located over $3,500 in Hart’s pocket and during an inventory search of the vehicle found suspected drug paraphernalia. After obtaining a search warrant, troopers found evidence of drug distribution, over 94 grams of fentanyl, and over 146 grams of methamphetamine.
On May 9, 2020, an officer observed an unoccupied vehicle parked at a gas station in Bow. A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed the owner of the truck had an out-of-state warrant for his arrest. Hart was a passenger in the vehicle. Because Hart did not have a valid driver’s license, he was told he was free to go, but the vehicle would be towed. During the inventory search of the vehicle, officers located a backpack that contained over 396 grams of fentanyl and a card that had Hart’s name on it. The officers then arrested Hart. After obtaining a search warrant for Hart’s phone, officers found text messages indicative of drug distribution.
Hart previously pleaded guilty on July 13, 2021. The cash seized from Hart on October 9, 2019, was forfeited to the United States.
“Fentanyl and methamphetamine are extremely dangerous drugs that are damaging lives throughout New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who seek to profit from selling these deadly substances. As this case demonstrates, drug dealers who do business in the Granite State will find themselves serving significant time in federal prison.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police, and Bow Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck assisted with the forfeiture-related aspects of this case.
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