District of New Hampshire

            CONCORD - Ira Weeks, 40, of Greenfield, was sentenced to 85 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Weeks conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.  Weeks obtained the fentanyl from a source of supply in Methuen, Massachusetts. As part of the investigation, in December 2017 the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) intercepted phone communications between Weeks and his co-conspirator wife in which the couple ordered quantities of fentanyl from their Methuen drug source.  DEA subsequently surveilled Weeks in Methuen meeting with the drug source on approximately four occasions.  The DEA and the New Hampshire State Police arranged to conduct motor vehicle stops on Week’s vehicle after observing him meet with his drug source.  These stops resulted in the seizure of over 175 grams of fentanyl.

             Weeks previously pleaded guilty on May 27, 2020.  His wife, Shelley Weeks, was also indicted in the conspiracy.  She pleaded guilty on March 26, 2020 and is awaiting sentencing. 

             “Interstate fentanyl traffickers make a deadly drug available for sale in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The results have been disastrous.  The substantial prison sentence imposed in this case should serve as a warning to those would choose to involve themselves in this dangerous business.”

             “Fentanyl is causing deaths in record numbers and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take fentanyl off the streets, lives are saved.  This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

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

             Agencies participating in this investigation are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

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            CONCORD - Timothy L. Adjutant, 28, of North Stratford, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for distributing buprenorphine near a school, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 14, 2018, in Colebrook, Adjutant sold buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  At the time of the sale, Adjutant indicated he had more Suboxone for sale.  On December 4, 2018, Adjutant sold Suboxone to a cooperating individual in the parking lot of a drug store in Colebrook.  Both transactions occurred within 1,000 feet of the Colebrook Elementary School. 

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

            Federal law provides that a person who distributes a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison. 

            Adjutant previously pleaded guilty on May 6, 2020.

            “Drug trafficking endangers public health and safety in small and large communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This is especially true with the illegal sales of opioids. In order to safeguard our citizens, we will continue to work closely with all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute and incarcerate the criminals responsible for trafficking drugs.”

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

           

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            CONCORD - Edson Wilson, 43, of Augusta, Maine was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possession of heroin and fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 15, 2019, a New Hampshire State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 north for a traffic violation.  Wilson was a passenger in the vehicle. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle, the trooper noticed indicators of drug use.  After the occupants also gave conflicting stories about their destination and travel, they consented to a search of the vehicle.  The trooper located a vacuum- sealed package that contained approximately 198 grams of heroin and fentanyl under Wilson’s seat.  Wilson was placed under arrest and later admitted that he had purchased the drugs earlier that day and further stated that he intended to sell at least half of the drugs.

             Wilson previously pleaded guilty on May 6, 2020.

             “Interstate 95 is a conduit for illegal drugs being transported into Northern New England,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Thanks to alert enforcement action by New Hampshire State Police, this shipment was stopped before it could be distributed and the responsible party was brought to justice. This 60 month prison term should serve as a warning to traffickers who plan to transport heroin and fentanyl into New Hampshire and Maine.”

              This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police with assistance from the Greenland Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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            CONCORD - Martin Sheehan, 28, of Nashua, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in October of 2018, Sheehan sold fentanyl on two occasions to a cooperating individual at locations in Nashua.  In February of 2019, law enforcement officers arrested Sheehan at a motel.  Officers recovered over 13 grams of fentanyl, which Sheehan admitted belonged to him. 

             Sheehan previously pleaded guilty on May 13, 2020.

             “Fentanyl has caused substantial damage throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation S.O.S., we are fighting back against the drug dealers who peddle fentanyl and other opioids.  We will continue to work closely with Nashua Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the drug traffickers who have threatened public health and safety by selling these deadly drugs.”

             This matter was investigated by the Nashua 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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            CONCORD - Christopher Gelinas, 24, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing methamphetamine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Gelinas sold highly-pure methamphetamine to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers on two occasions.  On October 23, 2019, a cooperating individual bought methamphetamine from Gelinas at a residence in Concord.  On November 18, 2019, a cooperating individual purchased methamphetamine from Gelinas in Boscawen.

            Gelinas is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2020.

            “Highly-pure methamphetamine is now appearing in New Hampshire with alarming frequency,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Even as we continue to combat the opioid crisis, methamphetamine poses an additional serious threat to public health and safety.  Accordingly, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the traffickers who are responsible for selling this highly dangerous drug in the Granite State.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Concord Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

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            CONCORD - Hallet Merrick, 34, of White River Junction, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to unlawfully possessing a firearm and fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 20, 2019, Lebanon Police officers made contact with Merrick and arrested him on a warrant for failing to appear in Grafton County Superior Court.  During searches of his person incident to his arrest, officers discovered approximately six grams of fentanyl, which Merrick claimed was for personal use.  Officers also discovered a handgun in his sweatshirt pocket.  As a convicted felon, Merrick is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

            Merrick is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2020.

            “Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “This restriction is intended to reduce violent crime and thereby protect the public. To accomplish this goal, we will continue to work closely with ATF as well as state and local law enforcement agencies.”  

            This matter was investigated by the Lebanon Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.

 

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            CONCORD - Leo Rush, 76, of Pelham, pleaded guilty in federal court to mail fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Rush ran the Newport Insurance Company from his home office in Pelham.  As Rush knew, the Newport Insurance Company was not licensed to sell insurance in New Hampshire or any other state.  Rush also maintained a website for the company that listed a false address in Rhode Island.

            From 2012 through 2019, Rush sold fraudulent surety bonds through Newport Insurance Company for construction projects in several states.  Surety bonds are a form of insurance, subject to oversight by state insurance regulatory agencies.  For certain construction projects, contractors are required to purchase surety bonds from licensed insurance companies to ensure that workers and material suppliers are paid and to ensure that a contractor’s work is completed and performed according to a contract’s specifications.  Thus, if a contractor defaults on a contract, the owner of the construction project can trigger the surety’s obligation and receive payments required to complete the contract up to the value of the bond.

            Rush sold these surety bonds knowing that they were fraudulent.  He knew his company was not a licensed insurer and that it did not have the financial ability to make payments equal to the value of the bonds.  In fact, after the deposits were made in the Newport Insurance bank account, Rush used the proceeds for his personal benefit, leaving no money to make payments on claims made against surety bonds.

            From 2012 through 2019, Rush’s victims paid him over $633,000 for fraudulent surety bonds valued at over $23 million.

            Rush is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, 2020.

            “Financial crimes cause serious harm to victims and deprive them of their hard-earned money,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through this deceitful scheme, the defendant obtained over $600,000 from his victims, while subjecting them to the risk of major financial loss in the event that they needed to file a claim against his fraudulent surety bonds. To stop this type of criminal activity and seek justice for victims, we work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute fraudsters and other white collar criminals.”

            “Mr. Rush’s conduct is inexcusable. With today’s guilty plea, he is finally taking responsibility for deceiving and defrauding his clients out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by selling fake insurance policies that would have left them in serious trouble if claims were made, since he did not have the money to back them,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Individuals like Mr. Rush who engage in this type of financial fraud should know they will not go undetected, and sooner or later, they will be brought to justice. We thank the New Hampshire Insurance Department for its partnership in this investigation.”

            This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Insurance Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella. 

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            Concord – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Sergio Martinez, 30, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 45 years in federal prison for leading a continuing criminal enterprise and participating in a money laundering conspiracy based upon his role in operating a Lawrence-based fentanyl trafficking organization.  Additionally, Martinez was ordered to forfeit $2,000,000 in cash, as well as three houses in Lawrence.

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

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

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

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

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

            Evidence at trial showed that Martinez received substantial income from his business and that he sent some of this money to the Dominican Republic.  Drug runners testified that they provided the defendant with between $30,000 and $35,000 per day based on aggregate drug sales.  On one occasion, the defendant was stopped by the police while transporting $400,494 in cash that he intended to send to the Dominican Republic.  This money was seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The plea agreement includes a forfeiture of $2,000,000 including funds in two bank accounts in the Dominican Republic in Martinez’s name.

            Twenty four individuals have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in this conspiracy.  Five additional individuals are awaiting sentencing.  Three defendants remain fugitives.  One defendant is awaiting trial.

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

            “International fentanyl trafficking organizations have targeted New Hampshire as a profitable market for the sale of their deadly product,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The result has been disastrous for our citizens. Mr. Martinez ran a criminal enterprise that exploited the substance abuse proclivities of Granite Staters in order to obtain huge profits. In doing so, he enriched himself and funneled portions of the profits to parties outside of the United States. This 45-year sentence should send a strong message to fentanyl traffickers that those who choose to do business in New Hampshire will be held accountable for their conduct.  I am grateful to the DEA and all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners whose hard work resulted in the successful prosecution of this high-level drug trafficker.”

            “The State of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions.  Today’s significant sentence not only holds Mr. Martinez accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

             “Today’s sentencing sends a strong message: The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to making sure that those who are responsible for trafficking in deadly drugs face consequences for their criminal actions,” said Brian Papanu, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Office of the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. “Diplomatic Security’s strong relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force continues to be essential in the pursuit of justice.”

            Agencies participating in this investigation are part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  OCDETF was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy.  Today, OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement.  The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations, and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

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

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

 

 

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            CONCORD - Michael Baez, 40, of Pelham, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Baez sold cocaine to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions.  One transaction took place in a parking lot in Nashua.  Additional deals occurred at the defendant’s residence in Pelham, New Hampshire.  In total, Baez sold over 420 grams of cocaine to the cooperating individual.

             Baez previously pled guilty on May 11, 2020.    

             “Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies worked together to bring this defendant to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Drug dealers who choose to do business in New Hampshire should understand that they will be identified, arrested and prosecuted.  Federal prison sentences await those who persist in peddling illegal drugs.”

              “When law enforcement agencies partner together in a task force environment, as in this case, we can leverage all of our resources in removing illegal narcotics, and the criminals like Michael Baez who deal them, from the streets,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. 

               This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.                   

 

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           CONCORD – Daniel Musso, age 56, of Brentwood, was found guilty on Friday of four counts of receiving and possessing unregistered firearms (fragmentation grenades) and one count of receiving explosive material after a week-long federal jury trial, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to the evidence presented during the trial, beginning in the summer of 2015, Musso engaged in a series of efforts to obtain ammunition and military weapons and explosives, including military hand grenades.  After Musso told a firearms dealer about his desire to obtain these items, the FBI arranged for Musso to be introduced to an undercover agent who told Musso that he could obtain illegal hand grenades.  During two meetings with the undercover agent in January 2016, Musso reiterated his desire to obtain hand grenades and other illegal military weapons and explosives.  Musso explained that he was part of a group that was seeking to bring forth the “original constitution” and that he and his associates were seeking to obtain military weapons and explosives to “take our country back.”  Musso was arrested on January 27, 2016, after he purchased four military hand grenades from the undercover agent in Seabrook.

            Hand grenades are destructive devices that are unlawful to possess unless they are registered under the National Firearms Act.  Musso previously argued that the grenades were not destructive devices because the FBI had made their fuses inoperable for safety purposes in the undercover operation.  Although a district judge initially agreed with Musso, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed that decision, clearing the way for this matter to be tried by a jury.

            Musso was taken into custody after the verdict.  A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

            This trial was the first jury trial conducted in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire since court operations were limited in response to the pandemic in March.  The court adopted a series of health and safety protocols for the jury and all other participants in the trial.  Those in the courtroom wore masks, maintained social distancing, and took other steps to limit the risk of virus exposure and transmission.

            “I am grateful to the members of the jury who agreed to perform their important civic duty during this challenging time,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The jury’s dedication to justice ensured that this defendant received a fair trial despite the difficulties presented by the current pandemic.  The defendant’s frightening efforts to obtain military hand grenades posed a substantial risk to public safety.  Thanks to the excellent investigative work of the FBI, this dangerous scheme was thwarted and the public was protected from potential violence.”

             “Daniel Musso bought four grenades and asked our undercover agent to illegally sell him additional military grade weapons and explosives as part of a frightening plan to defend his version of what our government should be. If it were not for the concerned citizen who caught wind of his plan and came forward to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, these deadly weapons could have ended up in the wrong hands,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case is a true testament that the adage, ‘if you see something, say something,’ really does work.”

            “This arrest demonstrates the outstanding partnership between the Seabrook Police Department, FBI and the ATF. It demonstrates the commitment we share together to interdict these dangerous hand grenades which are an instrument of extreme violence and the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities” ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly. D. Brady.

            This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Seabrook Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John S. Davis and Matthew T. Hunter.

 

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            CONCORD - John William McMahon, 30, of Hampton, pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, during an ongoing undercover investigation, a member of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force accessed a peer-to-peer network to identify users who may be sharing images of child pornography. On various dates between December 14, 2017, and January 2, 2018, law enforcement  officers conducted single-source downloads of child pornography from a certain I.P. address. Agents identified the address used to distribute child pornography images during the undercover sessions.

           Through their investigation, agents identified the defendant, John William McMahon, as the person responsible for distributing child pornography images during the undercover sessions. In a consensual interview, the defendant admitted accessing wireless internet belonging to a neighboring apartment, and he further admitted downloading child pornography. Investigators later obtained a search warrant for McMahon’s laptop and other electronic media recovered from him. Subsequent forensic examination revealed approximately 1,410 images of suspected child pornography on McMahon’s laptop. The child pornography images and videos were sent to the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which confirmed that 500 still images and 6 videos were of identified child victims.

            McMahon’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.  

           “Child pornography crimes involve the distribution of images of children who have been the victims of terrible abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who distribute these images are committing a serious federal crime and will be prosecuted aggressively.  I am grateful for the efforts of the law enforcement officers whose dedicated work led to this successful prosecution.”

          ​ “Every conviction of an individual who distributes child pornography is a victory in our fight against the sharing of these sickening images,” said Michael Shea, acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “We applaud the tireless work of our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire for their commitment to fighting for justice for the victims of these disturbing crimes.”

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

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

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         CONCORD - Nadine Jacques, 46, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to methamphetamine trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, in February and March of 2020, a cooperating individual made four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Jacques in Suncook, Concord, and Dover, New Hampshire. 

           Agents conducting surveillance at the final purchase on March 4, 2020, witnessed Jacques obtaining the drugs from her source in Dover.  Agents arrested Jacques and the source and recovered over 111 grams of methamphetamine. 

           Jacques is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2020.

           “Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that continues to cause significant damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We will not hesitate to bring federal charges against the dealers who are responsible for distributing this dangerous substance in the Granite State.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

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CONCORD - Geraldo De La Cruz Cabral Pena, 45, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced on Thursday to 108 months in federal prison and a $30,000 fine for conspiring to distribute heroin, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2013 to 2016, Cabral Pena facilitated an international heroin distribution conspiracy with connections to Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. Multi-kilogram loads of heroin were smuggled into the United States from Mexico.  Cabral Pena then facilitated deliveries of the heroin to numerous regional drug trafficking organizations along a route from Texas to Massachusetts. Heroin arriving in Lawrence, Massachusetts would then be distributed by a local drug trafficking organization to sub-distributors in New Hampshire and the rest of northern New England.  Cabral Pena also collected payment from the regional drug trafficking organizations through multiple means including bulk cash smuggling.

          Pena was arrested by Dominican Republic authorities in March 2018 at the request of the United States government, and he was extradited to the United States to face these charges on August 16, 2018.

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

          “This case demonstrates the international scope of the heroin distribution network that has had such a damaging impact on New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “It also demonstrates that we will not hesitate to reach into foreign countries to extradite criminals who are responsible for shipping illegal drugs into the Granite State.  We will continue to aggressively pursue, prosecute, and incarcerate responsible parties regardless of where they are found.” 

          “DEA is committed to investigating and bringing to justice Drug Trafficking Organizations and individuals like Mr. Cabral Pena who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Cabral Pena accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

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

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations; the Massachusetts State Police; the Haverhill Police Department; the United States Marshals Service; the New Hampshire State Police; the Manchester Police Department; the Lawrence Police Department; the Lowell Police Department, the Methuen Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Drug Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

 

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CONCORD - Jon Daigle, Jr., 33, of Belmont, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 12, 2019, the Belmont Police Department received a report that two people were using drugs in a parked car outside a convenience store.  Officers responded and identified Daigle and another individual as the occupants of the vehicle.  In plain view, they observed drug paraphernalia in the car. Officers seized the vehicle and applied for a search warrant, which was granted.  Later that day, officers searched the car and found suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, mail addressed to various people in Laconia, Gilford, and Meredith, New Hampshire (including checks made out to people who were not occupants of the vehicle), a USPS mail tote, and a lock pick set.

           On January 15, 2020, the Bedford Police Department began an investigation of mail stolen from a community mailroom.  A surveillance camera in the mailroom showed that on January 12, 2020, Daigle was captured on video as he picked the lock to the mailroom, entered the room, rummaged through various packages, and left with a handful of mail.

           On various occasions between January and April of 2020, Daigle and his co-conspirator altered stolen checks and cashed or attempted to cash them at various banks in New Hampshire. Some of the checks were stolen from the community mailroom in Bedford and also from mailboxes in Manchester. On April 1, 2020, Daigle and a co-conspirator attempted to use a stolen driver’s license to cash a check at a credit union. 

           On April 23, 2020, Daigle and a co-conspirator were arrested by Manchester Police Officers.  Officers seized the vehicle and obtained a search warrant.  The vehicle contained over $16,000 in stolen checks, stolen credit cards, the stolen driver’s license used at the credit union on April 1, and various other pieces of stolen mail.

          Daigle is scheduled to be sentenced on November 17, 2020.

         “Bank fraud causes real harm to individuals as well as financial institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The harm is compounded when criminals interfere with the U.S. Mail to facilitate their schemes. We will continue to work closely with U.S. Postal Inspection Service and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who engage in this type of criminal activity”

         “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service actively conducts investigations with our counterparts to combat mail theft in our communities,” said Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.  “The U.S. Mail remains one of the most secure means of transmitting personal information and our Postal Inspectors work diligently to preserve the integrity of the U.S. Mail.”

          This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Belmont Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.                       

 

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           CONCORD - Michael Briand, 29, of Bow, pleaded guilty in federal court to fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

           According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 27, 2019, at about 4:15 pm, a cooperating individual told Nashua Police Detectives that Michael Briand and an accomplice were selling fentanyl in Nashua.  At the direction of detectives, the cooperator arranged to buy a quantity of fentanyl from Briand and his accomplice.  The deal took place in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant in Nashua and Briand took custody of the money in the transaction.  Following the sale, detectives arrested Briand and others involved in the transaction.

           Briand is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19, 2020.

           “Fentanyl traffickers seek to earn profits by selling a deadly substance that undermines the health and safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Fentanyl users invite disaster into their lives. Through Operation SOS, we are working closely with the Nashua Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners to stop the sale of dangerous illegal drugs in the Granite State.”

            This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department’s Narcotics Intelligence Division and Problem-Oriented Policing Unit.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.

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

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          CONCORD - Ryan Luther, 28, of Manchester, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 13, 2019, a cooperating individual agreed to participate with the Nashua Police Department’s Narcotics Intelligence Division and Problem-Oriented Policing Unit in a controlled buy of fentanyl from Ryan Luther.  Luther subsequently sold fentanyl to the cooperator.  After the deal, detectives followed Luther to a nearby apartment where they found him hiding in the bathroom and placed him under arrest.

             Luther previously pleaded guilty on October 9, 2019.

             “Fentanyl traffickers who continue to distribute their product in Hillsborough County will follow Mr. Luther to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation SOS, we are working closely with the Nashua Police Department and law enforcement agencies throughout the county to send the message to drug dealers that their illegal and dangerous conduct will not be tolerated.”

             This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Division and Problem-Oriented Policing Unit.  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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          CONCORD – The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a district court’s decision that denied Scott Farah’s request for compassionate release, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            Farah, 56, is serving a 15-year prison sentence for mail fraud and wire fraud arising out of his participation in a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.  In 2019, Farah asked the district court for compassionate release arguing, in part, that he needed to care for his elderly parents.  United States District Judge Paul Barbadoro denied Farah’s request on August 6, 2019. 

            Farah appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  In an order issued today, the Court of Appeals affirmed Judge Barbadoro’s decision, finding that he acted within his discretion in denying Farah’s request for compassionate release.

            “We are pleased with this decision, which will leave Mr. Farrah in prison to serve the remainder of the sentence that was justly imposed on him in 2011,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Farah’s fraud scheme deprived his victims of millions of dollars and caused terrible damage to their lives. Hopefully this ruling will bring at least some closure for them.” 

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            CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that this week marks the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA), the landmark civil rights law that aims to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities. 

            The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire is proud to play a critical role in the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts under the ADA.  The ADA is the nation’s preeminent civil rights law for providing access and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.  

            “The ADA has bettered the lives of Americans by ensuring that people with disabilities are more fully included in our society,” said Murray.  “Our office remains committed to investigating complaints, remedying violations, and protecting the civil rights of all of our citizens.”

             Over the past 30 years, our country has undertaken the hard work of changing attitudes about disability, tearing down barriers to equality, and dismantling the systems that have historically excluded people with disabilities.  We commemorate the many ways that the ADA has transformed our society—by replacing exclusion with access, segregation with integration, and limitations with self-determination.  The ADA has advanced the promise of the American dream, ensuring that people with disabilities can write their own stories.  We are better and stronger because of the contributions that people with disabilities make.

             For more information about the 30th Anniversary of the ADA, please visit www.ada.gov

             To file a complaint with the Department, please visit the Civil Rights Division’s portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/ or contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz at (603) 225-1552.

             For more information about the ADA, call the Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TTY).

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             CONCORD - Shiva Chandan Reddy Thudi, 26, of Irving, Texas was sentenced on Wednesday to 12 months and a day in federal prison for wire fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Thudi attended college in New Hampshire from 2015 to 2017.  During that time, he established relationships with and defrauded several individuals who were foreign citizens living in the United States.  In essence, Thudi falsely told his victims he was seeking investors to share in the profits of business ventures that involved his producing and distributing films in the United States.  In reality, Thudi was not a movie producer or distributor and, instead, he used his victim’s money for his own personal benefit.  To keep the scheme going, Thudi engaged in a classic Ponzi scheme by using money paid by later victims to pay supposed “returns” on the “investment” made by earlier victims.

             When interviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Thudi admitted he stole substantial amounts of money from the victims by selling illusory ownership interests in several films to them.  Additionally, he admitted that he used the victims’ money for his personal benefit and to make lulling payments to keep the scheme going.  In total, Thudi stole more than $160,000 from his victims.

             Thudi previously pleaded guilty on April 12, 2020.  He faces likely removal to India after serving his prison sentence.

            “Fraudsters who cultivate and then exploit relationships in order to steal money are criminals who must be held responsible for their conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect victims from financial crimes, we work closely with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the white collar criminals who use lies and fraud to steal hard-earned money.”

            “By playing the role of film producer, Shiva Chandan Reddy Thudi stole tens of thousands of dollars from starstruck victims he convinced had the inside track for investing in his movies, but our investigation into his Ponzi scheme exposed him for what he really is, a con artist,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “With today’s sentence, he’s being held accountable for their losses, and we’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Thanks to Rivier University’s valuable assistance, the FBI has brought one more fraudster to justice.”

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella.             

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            CONCORD – George Cruz, 30, of Nashua, was sentenced on Wednesday to 63 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Cruz was a member of a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and other drugs to various customers in the Nashua area.  Cruz actively sold drugs to customers for the organization.

             Cruz previously pleaded guilty on December 17, 2019. 

             In addition to Cruz, six defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Four of the defendants have been sentenced: Donald Johnson was sentenced to 42 months in prison; Melvin Nooks, Jr. was sentenced to 120 months in prison; Marvin Morrison was sentenced to 15 months in prison; and Mallory Nooks received 60 months in prison.  William Greenleaf is scheduled to be sentenced on November 3, 2020 and Isaiah Kinard is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4, 2020. Three other defendants are awaiting trial.

             “This 63-month sentence should serve as a warning to drug dealers operating in the Nashua area,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Mr. Cruz now follows four of his fellow conspirators to federal prison. A similar fate awaits those who peddle crack cocaine anywhere in the Granite State. We will continue to work with the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the purveyors of dangerous illegal drugs.”

            “With today’s sentence, George Cruz became the fifth member of this drug trafficking organization to be held accountable for pumping illegal narcotics like crack cocaine into the neighborhoods of Nashua,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Given that the safety and quality of life of our communities are on the line, our Safe Streets Gang Task Force will vigorously work to put drug trafficking rings like this one permanently out of business.”

             This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana Konesky and Anna Krasinski.

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

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            CONCORD - David Campbell, 36, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 16, 2019, three Nashua police officers were returning to the station from a patrol when they observed Campbell walking in a gas station parking lot. They paused to watch him. He seemed to be impaired as he was at times staring off into the distance and walking aimlessly in the parking area. During a consensual encounter, he was arrested after being found in possession of methamphetamine.

            Accordingly, Campbell was arrested and transported back to the station.  A subsequent search revealed distributable quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

            Campbell waived his Miranda rights and admitted to selling methamphetamine. He also acknowledged that he was working on a deal in the parking lot before the officers confronted him.

            Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced on November 13, 2020.  

            “In this case, alert Nashua police officers were able to prevent the distribution of dangerous drugs and allow us to bring a drug trafficker to justice in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This is exactly the type of law enforcement partnership that Operation SOS was designed to promote. We will continue to coordinate with Nashua Police Department and all of the law enforcement agencies in Hillsborough County to disrupt the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine.”    

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

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

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             CONCORD - April Carroll, 62, of Fremont, pleaded guilty in federal court to social security fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Carroll received Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”) benefits for over 9 years.  Applicants for certain disability benefits, including SSI, must have limited income and resources in order to qualify for assistance.  The incomes of all members of a household are considered when determining an individual’s eligibility for SSI benefits. 

             After several unsuccessful attempts to obtain social security disability benefits, in December 2010, Carroll successfully applied for SSI benefits by falsely claiming that she and her husband were separated and that her husband did not provide for any of her living expenses.  In reality, she and her husband had lived together for more than 10 years and they comingled their assets, sharing in their household and other living expenses.  Based on these false statements, SSA granted Carroll’s claim and began paying her social security disability benefits on April 1, 2011.  Had Carroll told SSA the truth about her finances and living situation she would not have been eligible to receive SSI benefits.

             SSA occasionally interviewed Carroll to determine if she remained entitled to benefits.  During interviews in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 Carroll again falsely claimed that she did not live with her husband and that she did not receive any financial support from him.  On February 20, 2020, investigators interviewed Carroll at her home.  During the interview, she admitted that she and her husband co-own their home and that they have a joint bank account where they comingle their assets.  Carroll also admitted that her husband does not have an alternate address, lives full time at her residence, and that she should have reported this to the SSA.  When asked about her prior claim to SSA that her husband had not lived with her for years, Carroll said “I lied.”

            Due to Carroll’s concealment and false statements, SSA paid Carroll $77,953.00 in SSI benefits she was not entitled to receive.

            Carroll is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2020.  

            “Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provide essential monetary support to qualified individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The program is seriously undermined when applicants lie to obtain benefits. Persons who engage in this type of deceptive behavior will be held accountable in federal court.”

             This matter was investigated by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter.

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            CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray announced the launch of public service announcements primarily aimed at increasing awareness about drug trafficking and related gun crimes.

            The opioid crisis has had a dramatic negative impact on New Hampshire.  Several of the public service announcements solicit the public’s assistance in fighting back against drug traffickers.  One unfortunate side effect of the opioid crisis is the increased number of incidents where individuals from New Hampshire have traded guns in order to obtain drugs.  Drug traffickers actively solicit customers to obtain guns for them.  Additionally, convicted felons, individuals convicted of domestic violence, and others who are prohibited from possessing guns often offer money or drugs to get New Hampshire residents to buy guns for them.  All of this unlawful conduct presents a serious safety risk to the citizens of the Granite State.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office has developed a variety of social media public service announcements in order to educate people about the consequences of these illegal activities. 

            “Drug trafficking and violent crime jeopardize the safety and security of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Armed drug dealers are a menace to everyone.  Law enforcement officers are working to protect the community each day.  With these public service announcements, we are seeking to raise awareness about these crimes and to solicit the public’s assistance in helping us to make the Granite State safer.  A fully informed public is a powerful deterrent against the harm caused by drug traffickers.”

            The public service announcements released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office include three 60- second videos and three 30-second videos, as well as three 15- second videos and five 6-second videos on various social media platforms.  All of these announcements are available for download. These announcements serve several purposes, including:

•           Increasing awareness about the dangers and consequences of exchanging guns for drugs;

•           Educating and warning people about the criminal consequences of buying a gun for someone you don’t know or someone who cannot legally possess a gun;

•           Addressing the opioid crisis in New Hampshire;

•           Educating the public about the damage drug cartels are doing to New Hampshire;

•           Sending a message to armed drug dealers that they are the number one prosecution priority for the U.S. Attorney.

            Additionally, the audio messages and the messages on social media platforms aim to increase awareness of the dangers and consequences of exchanging guns for drugs and the criminal consequences of buying a gun for someone you don’t know or someone who cannot legally possess a gun.

            For more information about the campaign and to see the public service announcements, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/crimefreenh.

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            CONCORD - Aiden Davidson, a/k/a Hamed Aliabadi, 32, of Brighton, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for smuggling goods from the United States to Iran in violation of the U.S. embargo on trade with Iran, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Davidson is a citizen of Iran and a naturalized citizen and resident of the United States.  Davidson was the manager/member and registered agent of a New Hampshire limited liability company, Golden Gate International, LLC (“Golden Gate”).  Babazedeh Trading Co., a/k/a “Babazadeh Hydraulic Trading Group” (“Babazadeh”) was an Iranian company that operated an online resale business based in Tehran, Iran.  Stare Lojistik Enerji Sanayi Ticaret (“Stare”) was a Turkish freight forwarding company with a location in Igdir, Turkey.

               Between December 2016 and February 2017, Davidson and Golden Gate smuggled goods from Savannah, Georgia, to Babazadeh in Iran.  The goods included motors, pumps, valves, and other items that were valued at more than $100,000.  Documents related to the shipments falsely identified the Ultimate Consignee of the shipments as Stare in Turkey.  In causing the unlicensed exportation of these goods, Davidson and Golden Gate willfully evaded national security controls related to transactions with Iran. 

               Between April 2017 and August 2017, Davidson and Golden Gate again knowingly smuggled goods from Savannah, Georgia, to Babazadeh in Iran.   The goods included displacement pumps that were valued at approximately $13,000.  Documents related to these shipments falsely identified the Ultimate Consignee of the shipments as Ariyanis Group in Turkey.  In causing the unlicensed exportation of these goods, Davidson and Golden Gate willfully evaded national security controls related to transactions with Iran. 

               All told, between 2014 and 2017, Davidson caused a total of at least ten exports of containers of industrial goods and equipment from the U.S. to Iran.  During that period he received approximately $1 million in international wire transfers to Golden Gate’s bank account in New Hampshire.  Davidson was arrested in September 2018 prior to boarding a flight from Atlanta to Turkey.

               Davidson previously pleaded guilty on March 3, 2020.

              “Export controls are important legal restrictions that can prevent certain items from being used to jeopardize our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “By smuggling these goods from the United States to Iran, the defendant violated federal law.  In order to maintain our national security and protect the people of the United States, we will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to evade the law by smuggling goods to Iran.”

              “We will fully and aggressively enforce our nation’s restrictions on exports to Iran,” said Special Agent in Charge William Higgins of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office. “The controls on exports to Iran help apply maximum pressure on Iran to end its promotion of instability and terrorism worldwide.  The Office of Export Enforcement will continue to work with our Law Enforcement partners to stem illicit trade that threatens U.S. national security and undermines U.S. foreign policy.”

              “Homeland Security Investigations remains committed to enforcing export controls on Iran,” said Michael Shea, acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “As demonstrated in this investigation of Golden Gate International and of Davidson’s illegal export of restricted materials, we will continue along with our federal and state law enforcement partners to monitor and investigate export violations committed by Iran or any proxies of Iran.”

              This matter was investigated by the Department of Commerce's Office of Export Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis and Cam Le.                      

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CONCORD - Alysha DeJesus, 25, of Winchester, was sentenced to 65 months in federal prison for attempted possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

           According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning around December of 2017, a drug organization in Lawrence, Massachusetts maintained a series of telephone numbers to receive orders and distribute controlled substances, primarily fentanyl and crack cocaine.  On June 19, 2019, law enforcement executed search warrants at locations used by the organization and seized a telephone that was used for the drug distribution.  Law enforcement officers then initiated an operation in which they communicated with the customers of the organization to effectuate their arrests after the customers placed orders for illegal drugs.

          On June 24, 2019, DeJesus sent a text message to order 150 grams of fentanyl and 2 ounces of cocaine for $4,500.  After receiving the text, undercover agents instructed DeJesus to a particular location in Nashua to receive the drugs. The agents told her to leave the money in the cup holder of the car and walk away.  DeJesus exited the vehicle with a male subject, who she described to the agents as “her man.”  The agents then stopped DeJesus who had in her possession the telephone with whom the agents had been texting.  Agents located the currency for the drugs wrapped in a towel in the center console of the vehicle.  After her arrest, DeJesus admitted traveling to Nashua to purchase drugs for $4,500

          DeJesus previously pleaded guilty on February 19, 2020.

          “The distribution of illegal drugs damages public health and safety throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The harm caused by this activity focuses the attention of law enforcement agencies on the dealers.  In order to prevent the sale of dangerous drugs, we will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the drug dealers who endanger lives in the Granite State.” 

          “Fentanyl is causing great damage to our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “DEA will continue to use every resource available to identify traffickers, like Ms. DeJesus who distribute this poison to the citizens of New Hampshire.  Today’s sentence not only holds Ms. DeJesus accountable for her crimes but serves as a warning to those who are fueling the opioid epidemic.”

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Methuen Police Department, Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, Manchester Police Department, Nashua Police Department, Salem Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Police Department, and the Goffstown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe.

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

 

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CONCORD - Christopher Brown, 39, of Stewartstown, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 23, 2019, Lancaster Police encountered Brown after he was involved in a motorcycle crash.  The police searched the area and found a bag of approximately 30 grams of fentanyl near where Brown had been standing when the police first encountered him.  Brown later admitted to the police that he had obtained the drugs earlier that day in Hooksett.  Brown said that, when the crash occurred, he had been on his way north to Colebrook to deliver some of the drugs to another individual.

          Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on October 16th 2020.

          “Fentanyl trafficking causes damage in all ten counties of our state,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Accordingly, law enforcement agencies aggressively target drug dealers throughout New Hampshire. We will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who undermine public safety by selling fentanyl and other deadly drugs in the Granite State.”

          This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Lancaster Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.

 

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Contact:  Special Agent Matthew Amsden

               Public Information Officer

               IRS Criminal Investigation

               60 Quaker Lane, 4th Floor, Suite 68

               Warwick, RI 02886

               (401) 826-4726 

               [email protected]

NEW HAMPSHIRE — The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire reminded taxpayers of the July 15 filing and payment deadline and warned against an increase in tax and COVID-19 scams.

Due to COVID-19, the original filing deadline and tax payment due date for 2019 was postponed from April 15 to July 15. Taxpayers filing Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension to Oct. 15.

“Although the extension provides additional time to file the tax return – it is not an extension to pay any taxes due”, said Kristina O’Connell, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in New England. “For people facing hardships who cannot pay in full, including those affected by COVID-19, the IRS has several options available to help. The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as soon as possible to explore these options and avoid accruing interest and penalties after the July 15 deadline.”

As the filing deadline approaches, taxpayers should beware of tax and COVID-19 related scams. “Criminals use the tax filing deadline as an opportunity to steal personal and financial information”, said U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray for the District of New Hampshire. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and know that the IRS will not initiate contact with them via phone, email or social media to request personal or financial information.”

In the last few months, the IRS Criminal Investigation division (CI) has continued to see a tremendous increase in a variety of Economic Impact Payment scams and other financial schemes. CI continues to work with its law enforcement partners to put a stop to these schemes and bring criminals to justice.

Taxpayers can report COVID-19 scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Taxpayers can also report fraud or theft of their Economic Impact Payments to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Unsolicited (phishing) e-mails that appear to be from the IRS should be forwarded to [email protected].

For the most up-to-date information about the tax filing deadline and IRS impersonation scams, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov.

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           CONCORD – James Henry, 51, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in or before December of 2017, a drug distribution organization operating in Lawrence, Massachusetts, maintained a series of telephone numbers that were used to receive orders for illegal drugs and facilitate transactions involving those substances. The organization primarily supplied fentanyl in “finger” units of ten grams each, and powder cocaine and cocaine base (“crack”) in either 3.5-gram (eighth-ounce) units or 28-gram (full ounce) units. To distribute its product throughout the northern New England region, the organization relied on a network of sub-distributors from New Hampshire and elsewhere, who would travel to Lawrence to pick up their orders and then redistribute the fentanyl, cocaine, and crack throughout northern New England.

            On June 19, 2019, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration arrested individuals involved in running the organization.  During the arrests, the DEA seized the telephone used by the organization to arrange drug transactions with its customers.  After that, DEA agents used the organization telephone to assume the identity of the organization dispatcher and set up purported drug transactions with the customers who contacted the organization telephone about buying controlled substances from the organization.

            On June 25, 2019, Henry contacted the telephone and sought to order quantities of fentanyl and crack.   He also provided the type and description of his vehicle.  The DEA directed Henry to a parking lot in Nashua.  Henry was told that after he arrived, he was to leave the money in the center console and take a walk. Officers then observed Henry’s vehicle arrive and saw Henry leave the vehicle before walking away. 

            After a few minutes, the DEA texted Henry and told him to return to his vehicle.  When Henry did so, officers placed him under arrest and seized the telephone with which they had communicated.  Following the arrest, Henry admitted that he had traveled to Nashua to buy “dope and crack.”

            Henry is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2020.

            “Stopping interstate drug trafficking is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect public health and safety, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing illegal drugs in the Granite State.”

             This matter was investigated by the DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Methuen Police Department, Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, Manchester Police Department, Nashua Police Department, Salem Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Police Department, and the Goffstown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe.

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

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            CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that on July 1, 2020, Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire declined to grant preliminary injunctive relief to “lower-risk” immigration detainees arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) and held at the Strafford County House of Corrections (“SCHOC”).

            ICE detains individuals who have criminal convictions or previously have been ordered to be removed from the United States.  Under federal law, these individuals often are required to be detained pending the resolution of any legal claims challenging their removal from the United States. 

            In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a class action was filed on behalf of detainees in ICE custody at SCHOC.  The lawsuit sought the release of ICE detainees from custody. 

            On May 4, 2020, the court ordered preliminary relief, including providing bail hearings for ICE detainees with high-risk medical conditions.  As a result of these hearings, the Court released approximately ten high-risk inmates from custody.  The Court also denied bail for approximately five high-risk inmates.

            The Court conducted remote evidentiary hearings to determine whether detainees with lower medical risks also were entitled to relief.  In a 22-page order, the Court declined to grant bail hearings to lower-risk detainees, finding that these detainees had failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on their claims that ICE or the Strafford County House of Corrections had been deliberately indifferent to their medical needs.

            The Court’s order noted that authorities had taken multiple steps to address COVID-19 risks at the facility, including: drastically reducing visits from outsiders; screening of employees; providing masks to staff, inmates, and visitors; requiring a 14-day quarantine for new inmates, and halting transfers of ICE detainees from facilities with known infections.  The facility limited “tier time” of inmates outside their cells, increased the amount of cleaning inside the facility, and increased inmate access to cleaning and hygiene supplies.  ICE also reduced enforcement actions to diminish the number of detainees so that SCHOC was well below its maximum capacity.  Because of these and other measures, the Court concluded that while conditions at SCHOC were not perfect, the petitioners failed to show that government officials “recklessly failed to act with reasonable care to mitigate the risk COVID-19 presents to lower-risk detainees at Strafford.”

            The court will conduct further proceedings as the matter proceeds to a final conclusion on the merits. 

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          CONCORD - Clifford A. Bullock, 71, of Nottingham, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to transportation of child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in April of 2019, law enforcement officers learned that Microsoft had detected potential child exploitation materials on a Microsoft OneDrive account with an IP address that resolved to Bullock’s address.  Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Bullock’s residence on August 5, 2019.  Pursuant to the search warrant, officers seized a computer, cellular phones and numerous items of digital media that contained a large collection of child pornography.  Bullock admitted to using the internet to view and save child pornography involving girls.  He further admitted to uploading and storing files on OneDrive, including child pornography images. 

              Bullock is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2020.

            “Protecting children from exploitation is a high priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Child pornography crimes are serious offenses with significant and long term consequences.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who produce, possess or transport child pornography.”

            “With the recent overall increase in internet activity among the public, HSI special agents are more committed than ever to pursuing those who download and distribute child exploitation images online,” said Michael Shea, acting Special Agent In Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “It is through the support and hard work of our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Nottingham Police Department, the Exeter Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire that Bullock has been brought to justice.”

            “The dedicated law enforcement professionals from the NH ICAC Task Force and HSI will not stop searching for those predators who are producing, trading and collecting this graphic material, many of whom are also sexually assaulting children and causing them irreparable harm,” said Lieutenant John W. Peracchi, Commander of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

             This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Nottingham Police Department and Exeter Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.

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

                       

 

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           CONCORD - Jacqueline Masse, 49, of Hampton, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for participating in a mail fraud scheme that targeted restaurants and insurance companies, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

              According to court documents and statements made in court, for nearly four years, Masse defrauded or attempted to defraud restaurants and insurance companies of nearly $400,000.  Masse mailed letters to restaurants and food companies in which she falsely claimed that she (or another member of her family) became seriously ill after eating food served by the restaurants or packaged by the food companies.  In some letters, Masse impersonated her children, claiming to have become seriously ill after eating food served by the restaurants or packaged by the food companies.

              In each of the letters, Masse falsely stated that the purported letter-writer paid or borrowed money to pay their medical expenses because they did not have health insurance.  The defendant demanded that the restaurant or food company reimburse the supposed letter-writer for their medical expenses and compensate them for their pain and suffering.  None of this was true.

              According to the court documents and statements made in court, to support each demand letter, Masse provided to the affected business and their insurance companies fraudulent medical records allegedly obtained from hospitals in New Hampshire and Massachusetts as false evidence of the fictitious illnesses.  Masse stole, and later altered, some of the medical records from the client files of a law firm, where she worked as an office manager and paralegal.  Masse also stole checks from the law firm, which she altered to support her fraudulent insurance claims.

              In correspondence with the insurance carriers, Masse demanded payments totaling more than $399,000.  Some of the insurance companies responded by mailing insurance settlement checks totaling more than $206,000 to either Masse’s home in Hampton or the homes of her children, who were unwitting participants in the scheme to defraud.  To conceal her involvement in the fraud, Masse had her children deposit checks mailed to them into their personal bank accounts and then write Masse a check for the full amount of the payout. 

             Masse pleaded guilty on November 14, 2019.  In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay $206,609.19 in restitution.

            “White collar criminals cause real harm to businesses, as well as the general public,’” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “They steal money through lies and deceit, driving up costs for everyone. This defendant’s cynical scheme stole hundreds of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming that she and her family members became ill from consuming food at restaurants. I am grateful to the law enforcement investigators from the FBI and New Hampshire Insurance Department for their hard work in bringing her to justice.”

             “In an appalling scheme, Jacqueline Masse stole the identities of innocent family members to defraud restaurants, food companies, and their insurers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by falsely claiming on a dozen occasions that she or a loved one had suffered food poisoning,”  said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Every policyholder who has felt the financial impact of rising insurance premiums resulting from fraud should find some level of satisfaction in today’s sentence.  The FBI would like to thank the New Hampshire Insurance Department for their great work and partnership on this investigation.”

             “I want to commend the Insurance Fraud Unit at the Department for all of their hard work on this case,” said Insurance Commissioner Chris Nicolopoulos.  “This fraud scheme harmed consumers, businesses, and insurance companies.  Our highest priority is to protect these entities, and we are thankful to the United States Attorney’s Office and the FBI for partnering with us to combat insurance fraud in New Hampshire.”

             This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire Insurance Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and former AUSA Robert M. Kinsella.              

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         CONCORD - Kyle Desroche, 36, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to distributing child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 21, 2017, Dropbox, a cloud-based storage service, sent a CyberTip report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) with 2,325 files of apparent child pornography images and videos loaded to an account belonging to Desroche from an IP address assigned to his residence in Brentwood.    

            On March 23, 2018, investigators executed a search warrant at Desroche’s residence.  During an interview, Desroche admitted using Dropbox and Kik, an online messaging application, on his iPhone and stated he may have received “young stuff” from Kik but claimed to have deleted those items.  As authorized by the search warrant, officer seized cellular phones, computer equipment, and other electronic devices.  Subsequent forensic examination of those items revealed that Desroche used the Dropbox and Kik applications on his iPhone to share child pornography with like-minded collectors. 

            On July 11, 2018, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant for Desroche’s Dropbox account. Officers identified approximately 5,942 still images and 2,092 video files of apparent child pornography.  NCMEC confirmed that 1,013 still images and 317 video files were of identified child victims. 

            Desroche is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2020.

            “Child pornography is created through the exploitation and abuse of innocent young victims and violates the law,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who distribute these horrific images are re-victimizing these children in a way that has long-term consequences.  To protect children from this criminal exploitation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice those who distribute child pornography.”

            “Transmitting online images of child exploitation is a repulsive crime that causes repeated re-victimization when those images are distributed around the globe.  HSI’s commitment to combatting these crimes and to holding the distributors of them accountable, is stronger than ever,” said Michael Shea, acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston. “We’re grateful for the continued dedication of our partners in the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Brentwood Police Department, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Exeter Police Department, the Derry Police Department, the Chester Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire and for their work that has allowed justice to be done for the victims in this case.”

            This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Brentwood Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Exeter Police Department, Derry Police Department, and Chester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cam Le.

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

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            CONCORD – Eddil Ortez, 26, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted possession of fentanyl and cocaine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning around December of  2017, a drug organization in Lawrence, Massachusetts maintained a series of telephone numbers to receive orders and distribute controlled substances, primarily fentanyl and crack cocaine.  In early 2019, law enforcement officers began conducting judicially-authorized interception of communications occurring over a phone number used by the organization.   

            On June 19, 2019, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at locations known to be used by the organization, arrested the person believed to have been operating the phone, and seized the phone.  To further identify and arrest those who were distributing drugs, the officers, pretending to be members of the drug organization, used the seized phone to communicate with individuals who were obtaining drugs from the organization.

            During the evening of June 20, 2019, messages were exchanged between the seized phone and a phone belonging to Ortez.  Ortez attempted to order quantities of crack cocaine and fentanyl from the organization.  Ortez was directed to a parking lot in Nashua.  After he provided the description of his car and his clothing, he was told to leave the drug money in the center console of the car.  Investigating officers observed the car identified by Ortez arrive at the agreed-upon time for the deal.  Ortez then left the car and walked toward a retail store.  The officers sent a message to Ortez saying “you are all set.” Ortez returned to the car and was arrested.  Ortez was in possession of the telephone that was used to arrange the drug deal.

            Ortez will be sentenced on October 1, 2020.

           “Interstate trafficking organizations make fentanyl, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs available for purchase in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The results have been disastrous. Federal law enforcement agencies are working closely with all of our state and local partners to stop this deadly trade. Traffickers should be aware that they will be caught and prosecuted.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police, Methuen Police Department, Andover, Massachusetts Police Department, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Hampshire State Police, Manchester Police Department, Nashua Police Department, Salem Police Department, Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson Police Department, and the Goffstown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe.

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

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             CONCORD - Jerome Davis, 52, of Milford, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in October and November of 2018, Davis sold fentanyl on three separate occasions to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.

             Davis previously pleaded guilty on February 13, 2020.

             “Fentanyl trafficking continues to cause damage to communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to protect public health and safety, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the fentanyl dealers whose actions are endangering the citizens of the Granite State.”

             This matter was investigated by the Hillsborough County Street Crimes Task Force and the Milford Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim Barth with assistance from Karinne Brobst, Esq., prosecutor for the Milford Police Department.

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

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            CONCORD – Matthew Dion, 48, of Bedford, was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with producing child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            The complaint filed in court alleges that in April of 2020, a 16-year-old foreign exchange student residing with Dion found what he believed to be hidden cameras in the bathroom of Dion’s Bedford home.  After obtaining a search warrant, police officers searched Dion’s residence and vehicle.  Officers seized various electronic devices, including a Micro SD card that was underneath the seat of his car. On the Micro SD card, officers found sexually explicit images of the 16-year-old student that had been taken in the bathroom while he showered.

             Dion was arrested on June 23, 2020, and is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge this afternoon. He was detained pending further proceedings.

             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.

             The case was investigated by the Bedford Police Department, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

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            CONCORD - Matthew Oliver, 38, formerly of Everett, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for mailing threatening communications, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

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

               Oliver was found guilty by jury on November 19, 2019.

              “Violent threats damage the personal peace and security of victims and are not protected by the First Amendment,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who send violent threats through the mail are not exercising free speech rights, they are committing crimes that undermine the rights of their victims. We will not tolerate such threats.  Rather, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the criminals who send them.”

               “With today’s sentence, Matthew Oliver is finally being held accountable for terrorizing two women with violent threats, causing them to fear for their physical safety,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Let this case be a warning to others who are seeking to exact revenge while behind bars; the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not hesitate to take swift action against anyone who tries to continue their criminal conduct by sending threatening hate mail."

                The Seabrook New Hampshire Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Anna Krasinski and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Kinsella prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD - Dagoberto Duarte Espinal, 23, of Boston, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for transportation of a minor for the purpose of sexual activity, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

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

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

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

            Duarte Espinal pleaded guilty on March 12, 2020.  After serving his sentence, he faces possible deportation to Honduras.

            “Those who use the internet to prey upon children pose a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This defendant’s reprehensible conduct merits the substantial sentence imposed by the court.  We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate those who victimize children in the Granite State.” 

 ​            “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is strongly committed to pursuing child predators who use the internet to prey on their victims, especially in light of the increased levels of online activity by all age groups in recent months,” said Michael Shea, acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Boston. “It’s only through the critical teamwork of our law enforcement partners in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire that HSI was able to help bring about the conviction of this dangerous child predator who is now no longer free to roam the streets of our communities.”

            This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Boston, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Londonderry Police Department, and the Boston Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana Konesky.

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

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         CONCORD - Nathanael Peguero, 27, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

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

            Peguero previously pleaded guilty on September 20, 2019.

            “Interstate fentanyl traffickers have been a serious affliction for the people of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This sentence sends yet another message that traffickers face serious personal consequences in federal court.  It also reaffirms our commitment to work closely with the DEA and all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the drug dealers who endanger Granite Staters.”

             “Fentanyl is causing grave damage to New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Let this sentence be a warning to traffickers like Mr. Peguero who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison.  DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

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

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CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that the Department of Justice has awarded $2 million in grant funding to New Hampshire communities through the Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). 

            The New Hampshire grants were part of nearly $400 million funding awards to 596 law enforcement agencies across the nation that were announced by U.S. Attorney General William Barr.  These grants will allow those agencies to hire 2,732 additional full-time law enforcement professionals.  The awards announced today are inclusive of the $51 million announced in May as part of Operation Relentless Pursuit.  

            “These troubled times demand that our cities and towns have well-trained professional police officers who can assist with community policing,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.”  This grant funding will allow cities and towns in New Hampshire to put more professional law enforcement officers on the street to help keep our citizens safe. I look forward to working with these law enforcement professionals and partnering with them as they protect and serve the citizens of the Granite State.”

            The following communities in New Hampshire will receive funding:

Community Officers Funding       City of Claremont 1 $125,000 Hollis Police Department 1 $125,000 Laconia Police Department 2 $250,000 Manchester Police Department 10 $1,250,000 Somersworth Police Department 1 $125,000 Town of Thornton 1 $125,000

            The COPS Hiring Program is a competitive award program intended to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct funding for the hiring of career law enforcement officers.  In addition to providing financial support for hiring, CHP provides funding to state, local, and tribal law enforcement to enhance local community policing strategies and tactics.  In a changing economic climate, CHP funding helps law enforcement agencies maintain sufficient sworn personnel levels to promote safe communities.  Funding through this program had been on hold since the spring of 2018 due to a nationwide injunction that was lifted earlier this year.

            CHP applicants were required to identify a specific crime and disorder problem focus area and explain how the funding will be used to implement community policing approaches to that problem focus area.  43 percent of the awards announced today will focus on violent crime, while the remainder of the awards will focus on a variety of issues including school-based policing to fund school resource officer positions, building trust and respect, and opioid education, prevention, and intervention.  The COPS Office received nearly 1,100 applications requesting more than 4,000 law enforcement positions. 

            The complete list of awards can be found here.  https://go.usa.gov/xwDF8  To learn more about CHP, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/chp.  For additional information about the COPS Office, please visit www.cops.usdoj.gov.

            The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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            CONCORD - Michael Jones, 47, of Manchester, was sentenced on Tuesday to 60 months in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, from March 18, 2019 until April 19, 2019, a cooperating individual, at the direction of Manchester Police Department detectives, arranged on three occasions to buy methamphetamine from Jones.  The cooperator purchased in excess of 120 grams of methamphetamine from Jones during these transactions.

             Jones previously pleaded guilty on March 3, 2020.

            “By now, New Hampshire drug traffickers should have gotten the message that distributing dangerous and illegal drugs carries a high personal cost for them,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “The cost for this trafficker is 60 months in Federal prison.  Under Operation SOS we will continue to work with the Manchester Police Department and law enforcement agencies across Hillsborough County to ensure that drug traffickers are held accountable for their actions.”

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

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

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            CONCORD - Remy Martin Lopez, 35, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to unlawfully possessing a firearm, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 23, 2019, Lopez was found in possession of a firearm that had been reported stolen earlier in the week.  Lopez had previously been convicted of a felony in the State of Florida and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.    

            Lopez is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2020.

            “In order to prevent gun-related violence, federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Aggressive enforcement of this law clearly helps to maintain public safety. We will continue to work closely with the Rochester Police Department, ATF, and all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute criminals who unlawfully possess firearms or otherwise threaten the public.”

            “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates the outstanding partnership between the Rochester Police Department, the ATF, and the United States Attorney’s Office and the commitment we share to work together to interdict illegal firearms and the criminals that compromise the safety of our communities.” Kelly D. Brady, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) Special Agent in Charge.

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

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

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            CONCORD - Ira Weeks, 40, of Greenfield, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Weeks conspired with others to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl.  Weeks obtained the fentanyl from a source of supply in Methuen, Massachusetts. As part of the investigation, in December 2017 the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) intercepted phone communications between Weeks and his co-conspirator wife in which the couple ordered quantities of fentanyl from their Methuen drug source. DEA subsequently surveilled Weeks in Methuen meeting with the drug source on approximately four occasions. The DEA and the New Hampshire State Police arranged to conduct motor vehicle stops on Week’s vehicle after observing him meet with his drug source.  These stops resulted in the seizure of over 175 grams of fentanyl.

            Weeks is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2020.

            “Interstate drug trafficking endangers the people of New Hampshire by threatening their health and safety” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “We continue to work closely with the DEA, New Hampshire State Police, and law enforcement partners across New England to stop the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the Granite State.  Those who choose to participate in the drug trade will be identified and prosecuted in federal court.”

            This matter was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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

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            CONCORD – Russell Graham, 40, of Lowell, Massachusetts was arrested on a federal complaint charging him with distributing child pornography, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            The complaint filed in court alleges that in early May 2020, an undercover officer in New Hampshire met Graham in an internet chatroom and that Graham soon began sending the undercover officer videos and images of child pornography. Graham also told the undercover officer that he was wearing an ankle bracelet and had been released from jail because of COVID-19. According to court documents, Graham had in fact been in jail for child pornography-related charges in Massachusetts and was released on April 9, 2020, with a GPS ankle bracelet.

            Graham was arrested on May 22, 2020, and appeared before a federal magistrate judge today. He was detained pending further proceedings.

            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.

            The case was investigated by the Nashua Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

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            CONCORD - Michael Mowry, 43, of Acton, Maine pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in May of 2018, a New Hampshire State Police trooper pulled over a vehicle on I-95 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for multiple traffic violations.  Mowry was a passenger in the vehicle.  The trooper developed suspicions about drug activity and called for a narcotics detection dog. The dog alerted to the odor of narcotics.  After the trooper advised the driver of the detection of narcotics, Mowry admitted to the trooper that there was methamphetamine in a backpack in the rear seat.  The backpack contained  755 grams of methamphetamine.

             Mowry is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2020.

            “Interstate drug trafficking threatens the health and safety of citizens throughout New England,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Those who sell methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs are putting our friends and neighbors in jeopardy.  In order to protect our community, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who participate in the drug trade.”   

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

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            CONCORD - Martin Sheehan, 27, of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to fentanyl trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, in October of 2018, Sheehan sold fentanyl on two occasions to a cooperating individual at locations in Nashua.  In February of 2019, law enforcement officers arrested Sheehan at a motel.  Officers recovered over 13 grams of fentanyl, which Sheehan admitted belonged to him. 

            Sheehan is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2020.

            “Fentanyl trafficking has caused tremendous damage to Nashua and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through Operation S.O.S., we are fighting back against drug traffickers in Nashua by prosecuting them in federal court.  By working closely with the Nashua Police Department to identify and prosecute fentanyl dealers, we are helping to improve health and safety in that city and the entire 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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            CONCORD – Marvin Morrison, 37, of Nashua, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and 4 months home confinement for participating in a conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Morrison was a member of a drug trafficking organization that distributed crack cocaine and other drugs to various customers in the Nashua area.

             Morrison previously pled guilty on February 18, 2020. 

             In addition to Morrison, six defendants in this case have pleaded guilty. Three of the defendants have been sentenced: Donald Johnson was sentenced to 42 months in prison; Melvin Nooks was sentenced to 120 months in prison; and Mallory Nooks received 60 months in prison.  Three defendants still await sentencing. Three other defendants are awaiting trial.

            “Drug trafficking threatens the safety of the citizens of Nashua and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Through our close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to combat the organizations that are responsible for distributing drugs in the Granite State.  We will continue to protect our citizens by investigating, prosecuting, and incarcerating the drug dealers who endanger our communities.”

             “Today’s sentence shows that Marvin Morrison’s efforts to further the success of this drug trafficking organization held no reward, and ultimately cost him his freedom,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.  “The hard work of the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force in dismantling this organization and disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics to the Nashua area has paid off, but there is much more work to be done to ensure that other drug-trafficking networks don’t try to fill the void left by this one.”

             This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department and Portsmouth Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana Konesky and Anna Krasinski.

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

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CONORD - In honor of National Police Week, U.S. Attorney Scott W. Murray recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The week will be observed Sunday, May 10, through Saturday, May 16, 2020.    

            “There is no more noble profession than serving as a police officer,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “The men and women who protect our communities each day have not just devoted their lives to public service, they’ve taken an oath to give their lives in order to ensure our safety. And they do so not only in the face of hostility from those who reject our nation’s commitment to the rule of law, but also in the face of evolving adversity – such as an unprecedented global health pandemic. This week, I ask all Americans to join me in saying ‘thank you’ to our nation’s federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers. Their devotion and sacrifice to our peace and security will not be taken for granted.”

            “Even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, New Hampshire law enforcement officers continue to confront criminal behavior and keep our citizens safe,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “It is important for us to remember that they are true heroes who cannot retreat despite personal danger.  Each day, law enforcement officers throughout New Hampshire place themselves at risk in order to maintain our safety, prosperity, peace, and freedom. During National Police Week, we extend our sincere thanks to these heroic officers and their families for their public service and self-sacrifice. We also honor the memory of those who throughout the years have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.”

            In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.  

            Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities they swore to serve.

            Based on data collected and analyzed by the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 89 law enforcement officers died nationwide in the line of duty in 2019.      

           Comprehensive data tables about these incidents and brief narratives describing most of the fatal attacks are included in the sections of Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted, 2019.

           The names of the fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Memorial will be read on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, during a Virtual Annual Candlelight Vigil. Because public events have been suspended as a result of COVID-19, the vigil will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm (EDT). To register to view this free online event, please www.LawMemorial.org/webcast.

           To learn more about National Police Week and the virtual candlelight vigil, please visit www.policeweek.org.

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            CONCORD - Michael Baez, 39, of Pelham, pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing cocaine, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2019, Baez sold cocaine to a cooperating individual on multiple occasions.  One transaction took place in a parking lot in Nashua.  Additional deals occurred at the defendant’s residence in Pelham, New Hampshire.  In total, Baez sold over 420 grams of cocaine to the cooperating individual.

            Baez is scheduled to be sentenced on August 19, 2020.   

            “Drug trafficking threatens the health and safety of residents of Pelham, Nashua and other communities throughout New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Cocaine traffickers should understand that this illegal conduct will lead to federal prosecution.  Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will continue to work closely together to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for selling drugs in the Granite State.”

                “Time after time, Michael Baez pushed thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine  from his home, where he once left the dangerous narcotic out on his grill, on his back deck, ready for pickup,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “By pleading guilty today to drug distribution, Baez is finally accepting responsibility for being part of a problem that has exacted a terrible toll on our communities. This case is a great example of the resolve of the FBI New Hampshire’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force to rid our streets of those who are intent on flooding them with illicit drugs.”    

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police, Nashua Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Portsmouth Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

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            CONCORD - John Foster, 56, of Portsmouth, was sentenced on Thursday to 51 months in federal prison for wire fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2014 to sometime in May of 2018, Foster owned multiple limited liability corporations (LLCs) which he used in his schemes.  In each of the schemes, Foster defrauded victims to obtain money that he claimed would be used for business projects, but actually used the money for his own personal benefit.

            In 2018, Foster owned J.O. Foods, a company that facilitated the purchase and shipment of food to foreign countries.  He agreed to send several thousand pounds of lobster to Vietnam.  A customer agreed to pay J.O Foods a total of $145,500 for the delivery of the lobster.  Foster falsely assured the company that the lobster was being shipped and induced the customer to send him over $100,000.

            In 2014, Foster owned JM Application, Design and Technologies, LLC, which purportedly developed and sold mobile computer applications.  Foster used false representations to persuade seven individuals to invest $250,000 in the business and falsely claimed that the money was being used to further business development when Foster actually used the money for his personal benefit.

            In 2015, Foster promised to investors that he would develop an app called “Rocket Dog” to assist a business.  Foster convinced an individual to invest over $156,000 to develop the app.  During the next several months, Foster provided misleading information and material about the development of the Rocket Dog app and used most of the money for personal expenses.

            In 2015, Foster also offered to create an app for another business and falsely claimed to have secured a patent for the app.  He used false representations to persuade individuals to provide over $120,000 that he falsely claimed would be used to develop the app.  Foster actually used most of the money for his personal benefit.

            Foster previously pleaded guilty on January 8, 2020.

            “Fraud schemes exploit the trust of victims and steal their money,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This defendant’s repeated use of fraudulent schemes to obtain large sums of money was reprehensible.  This substantial sentence demonstrates that white collar crime will not be tolerated and those who commit these crimes will go to prison.”

            “John Foster repeatedly took advantage of those who trusted him, by cheating them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, using a variety of fraudulent schemes,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence should make it crystal clear the FBI will not hesitate to go after criminals like him who take advantage of unsuspecting victims for their own personal gain.”

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Davis.  Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Kinsella previously participated in the prosecution of this case.

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            CONCORD - Timothy L. Adjutant, 28, of North Stratford, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distribution of buprenorphine near a school, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 14, 2018, in Colebrook, Adjutant sold buprenorphine, also known as Suboxone, to an individual who was cooperating with law enforcement officers.  At the time of the sale, Adjutant indicated he had more Suboxone for sale.  On December 4, 2018, Adjutant sold Suboxone to a cooperating individual in the parking lot of a drug store in Colebrook.  Both transactions occurred within 1,000 feet of the Colebrook Elementary School. 

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

            Federal law provides that a person who distributes a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of one year’s imprisonment.  

            Adjutant is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2020.

            “The illegal sales of opioids have impacted families in large and small communities throughout the Granite State,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “No area of the state has been immune from the sad consequences of this criminal activity. Those who traffic in Suboxone contribute to the opioid crisis that is gripping New Hampshire.  We will aggressively pursue federal prosecutions of those who jeopardize public health and safety by selling opioids.”

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

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