District of New Hampshire
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Rochester Man Sentenced on Child Pornography Possession ChargeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Cory Danis, 29, of Rochester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2015 the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) was contacted by a New York firm that was in the business of producing canvas prints from photographs. The firm had received a photograph of a minor in a sexually explicit pose as part of an order for a canvas print of the image. The firm provided the FBI with contact information for the customer. Further investigation by the FBI resulted in the identification of Danis as the customer who possessed the image that was sent to the New York business and who ordered the canvas print.
Danis, who pleaded guilty on August 22, 2017, was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release, which will begin after he is released from prison.
“The protection of children is one of the most important missions of law enforcement,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Through Project Safe Neighborhoods, we will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to combat child pornography and other crimes that exploit children.”
“When children are sexually assaulted to produce photos, they are not just victimized once, but repeatedly re-victimized through the on-line trading of their images,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “It takes an engaged and attentive community to counter these threats to our most vulnerable, and the FBI would like to thank the concerned citizen who came forward to report these egregious acts and remind others of the importance of reporting these crimes to law enforcement.”
The FBI conducted the investigation of this case with assistance from the Rochester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Helen White Fitzgibbon and Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.
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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Laconia Man Pleads Guilty to Seven Bank Robberies in New Hampshire and MassachusettsRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Chaka Meredith, 42, previously of Laconia, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to the robberies of seven banks in late 2016 and early 2017, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Meredith pleaded guilty to the following crimes: (1) the December 29, 2016, robbery of a Bank of America branch location in Boston, Massachusetts; (2) the January 3, 2017, robbery of an East Boston Savings Bank branch location in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts; (3) the January 11, 2017 robbery of a Meredith Village Savings Bank branch location in Laconia, New Hampshire; (4) the January 17, 2017, robbery of a Santander Bank branch location in Lawrence, Massachusetts; (5) the January 24, 2017 robbery of a TD Bank branch location in Lawrence, Massachusetts; (6) the January 25, 2017 robbery of a Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank branch location in Pepperell, Massachusetts; and (7) the January 30, 2017, robbery of a Santander Bank branch location in Plaistow, New Hampshire. Meredith has been in custody since his arrest by the Lawrence, Massachusetts Police on February 1, 2017.
Meredith was originally indicted for a robbery in Plaistow on March 8, 2017, and his guilty plea today resolves all of his pending charges in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire resulting from the month-long bank robbery spree.
Meredith is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2018. As part of his plea agreement, he will be required to pay restitution to the financial institutions he robbed.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This defendant’s crime spree is the type of conduct that creates fear in our communities. Those who engage in such criminal activities will be prosecuted aggressively in order to protect the safety of the citizens of the Granite State.”
“Mr. Meredith is finally accepting responsibility for his multi-state crime spree, where very fortunately, no one was harmed. Due to the close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we were able to track him down and safely get him off the streets,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division (FBI). “This case demonstrates the commitment of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force in bringing to justice those who break the law and intimidate hard-working citizens.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI, the Laconia Police Department, the Plaistow Police Department, the Belknap County Sheriff’s Department, the Brookline, MA Police Department, the Lawrence, MA Police Department, the Pepperell, MA Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. The Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk District Attorneys’ Offices in Massachusetts as well as the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office also provided invaluable assistance to investigators. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Former Federal Corrections Officer who Accepted Bribes Sentenced to 15 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – A former corrections officer at the Federal Corrections Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, Latoya Sebree, 37, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for accepting bribes from inmates, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced.
According to court documents, the criminal investigation began when law enforcement agents received information that Sebree was providing marijuana and other controlled substances, cell phones, tobacco and other contraband to inmates in exchange for cash payments. Thereafter, during communications that were monitored by the law enforcement agents, Sebree agreed to deliver a cell phone and a quantity of tobacco to in an inmate in exchange for $2,000. The items were shipped in a package to Sebree’s post office box. Sebree removed the package from the post office and then drove to her former residence in Milan, New Hampshire. When investigators went to Sebree’s home to execute a search warrant, she gave them the $2,000 and the cell phone. While being questioned by law enforcement agents, Sebree admitted that she had provided controlled substances, cell phones, and other prohibited items to inmates over a several week period, in exchange for cash. During the search of Sebree’s home, investigators seized Suboxone strips, a heat sealer, tobacco in various stages of packaging, as well as other evidence.
Sebree pleaded guilty on September 5, 2017 to accepting bribes. After serving her sentence, Sebree will be on supervised release for one year.
“The public deserves honest service from its civil servants,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This officer betrayed the public trust and undermined the safety and integrity of a federal prison facility by taking bribes to smuggle contraband into a prison. This type of conduct cannot be tolerated. Those who attempt to profit from their public positions will be prosecuted aggressively.”
“The smuggling of cell phones and drugs into our federal prison system puts correctional officers and staff, inmates, and the community at risk,” stated Ronald G. Gardella, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Office of the Inspector General’s New York Field Office. “The OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to investigate and bring to justice any DOJ employee involved in prison contraband smuggling.”
“It’s very troubling that Ms. Sebree sought to profit from her position by accepting bribes from inmates and providing contraband for cash,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division (FBI). “Greed and corruption have no place in our criminal justice system, and the FBI is committed to identifying corrupt public employees like Sebree, who undermine the confidence and trust expected from those in public service.”
The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case, with support from FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Kinsella.
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FCI-Berlin Inmate Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Assaulting Another Inmate with a Box CutterRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Audie Cruz-De Los Santos, 40, an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Berlin, New Hampshire, was sentenced to serve an additional 24 months in federal for assaulting another inmate with a box cutter.
According to statements made in court and documents filed with the court, Cruz-De Los Santos assaulted another inmate from behind and slashed the neck of the inmate using a box cutter. The video surveillance system at FCI-Berlin captured Cruz-De Los Santos placing an object in a recycling container located within the unit where the assault took place. Prison staff retrieved a blood stained box cutter from the container immediately after the assault. The assaulted inmate was treated at Androscoggin Valley Hospital and then transferred to Dartmouth Hitchcock for surgery to treat the wound.
The defendant previously pleaded guilty on September 26, 2017. The sentence will run consecutive to the defendant’s current federal prison sentence for possessing a firearm.
The case was investigated by the staff at the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith prosecuted the case.
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Greenland Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Jason Stone, 39, of Greenland, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the defendant's residence in October 2016. A review of various electronic devices found in the residences showed that they contained more than 100 images and videos of child pornography.
Stone is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1, 2018.
“Child pornography crimes jeopardize the innocence of young people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Through the Project Safe Childhood initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who possess child pornography, as well as those who produce or distribute this material.”
This matter was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov
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Citizen of Dominican Republic Sentenced to 120 Months for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Toribio Guerrero Marte, a/k/a Luis Rodriguez Lugo, a/k/a Boss, 32 of the Dominican Republic was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for heroin trafficking.
Documents filed with the court established that Guerrero Marte participated in a drug trafficking organization between June 2015 and October 2016. This organization distributed heroin to customers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The defendant admitted that he delivered drugs to customers of the organization on a daily basis.
The defendant pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin on August 7, 2017. After serving his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for 3 years. He also faces possible deportation to the Dominican Republic after he has served his sentence.
The investigation and prosecution of Guerrero Marte was part of a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) effort to address heroin distribution in New Hampshire. In addition to Toribio Guerrero Marte’s prosecution, his brother Alberto Guerrero Marte, 38, received a 15-year sentence, Allison DeJesus, age 19, received a sentence of five years of probation. Jonaly DeJesus, 22, received a sentence of time served and five years of supervised release, and Allan Raymond Pimentel, 21, received a sentence of 57 months in prison. Michell DeJesus, 34, Maria Miguelina Lara Lara, 33, Santo Rodolfo Garcia Mendez, 33, Wilkin Andres Beltre Arias, 39, Edward Garcia, 31, and Luis Colon, 30, are all awaiting sentencing. In a related case, Mark Gagnon, 54, of Candia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison.
“Members of the law enforcement community in New Hampshire are united in our effort to stop the flow the flow of heroin and other deadly drugs into the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who attempt to profit from the sale of these drugs will be identified and prosecuted. I salute the law enforcement agencies whose teamwork made this prosecution possible.”
“Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA pledges to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation would not have been a success without the continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA; 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. Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith prosecuted the case.
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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Belmont Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Firearms and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Paul Channel, 27, of Belmont, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and possession of a controlled substance – fentanyl.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2017, after a telephone call from a concerned citizen, an officer with the Manchester Police Department stopped Channel while he was driving a vehicle on Elm Street. The officer conducted a pat- frisk of Channel and located three syringes and a clear plastic baggie containing a controlled substance that subsequently tested positive for fentanyl. Channel did not have a prescription for the fentanyl. The police also located a firearm with an obliterated serial number in Channel’s vehicle. Channel is prohibited from possessing a firearm because he is a convicted felon.
Channel previously pleaded guilty on October 2, 2017. In addition to the 41 month prison sentence, the Court ordered Channel to serve 3 years of supervised release.
“Stopping violent crime is one of the highest priorities of the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Through the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, we work with our law enforcement partners to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. By prosecuting those who possess guns illegally, we will reduce the risk of violent crime and make our communities safer.”
This case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh prosecuted the case.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
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Former New Hampshire Pharmacist Pleads Guilty for Tampering with Narcotics at Bedford PharmacyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Thomas Kellermann, 65, of Bedford, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to tampering with a consumer product and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents and statements in court, Kellerman was employed as a pharmacist at a pharmacy in Bedford that dispensed prescription drugs to patients, including patients at hospice facilities. In 2011, Kellermann began abusing narcotic pain relievers. In March of 2012, Kellermann took medical leave from his position. While on medical leave in March and April 2012, Kellerman repeatedly returned to the pharmacy after business hours and on weekends and stole narcotic pain medication for his personal use. Kellermann removed the plastic top of vials containing hydromorphone and morphine, inserted syringes into the vials, and withdrew drugs from the vials. He then injected saline into the vials, placed a small amount of glue on top of the vials to reattach the plastic caps, and placed the vials back into pharmacy stock. This made it appear that the vials were unused. Kellermann also accessed hydromorphone that had been prepared for delivery to a patient, but which had been returned to the pharmacy and wasted.
The tampering was discovered when an employee of the pharmacy detected irregularities in certain vials of drugs. After the tampering was discovered, some of the vials were analyzed by an independent laboratory and found to be substantially below their labeled strength.
Kellermann pleaded guilty to a two-count Information charging him with one count of tampering with a consumer product and one count of obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, or subterfuge. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 9, 2018.
“Tampering with controlled substances by health care workers is a very serious crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This type of activity is a betrayal of the trust that patients place in the health care system. Tampering and diversion not only can deprive patients of needed medicine but also can expose patients to other substantial health risks. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute health care workers who engage in this very dangerous conduct.”
“Patients deserve to have confidence that they are receiving the proper treatment from those entrusted with providing their medical care,” said Jeffrey J. Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office. “We must hold medical personnel accountable when they take advantage of their unique position and tamper with drugs needed by their patients. Tampering can not only endanger the health of patients by exposing them to contaminated products but also may deny them access to the treatments they need.”
“The reckless action by this health care worker is not only a violation of the Controlled Substance Act but a betrayal of the public trust,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA’s obligation is to improve public safety and public health, and we are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.”
The investigation was conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen and Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Hawkins of the FDA’s Office of Chief Counsel.
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Citizen of Ecuador Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Passport FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Einstin Antonio Cantos, 40, a citizen of Ecuador who was residing in California, has been sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for making false statements on an application for a United States passport, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents, in December 2005, Cantos completed an application for a U.S. passport using the name, date of birth, social security number, and other personal identifying information that belong to a United States citizen, “J.S.” The application was submitted to the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with passport-sized photographs of Cantos and a certified copy of J.S.’s birth certificate. Relying on the information in the application and the supporting documentation, the Passport Center issued a U.S. passport to Cantos in J.S.’s name. In 2013, Cantos applied for a U.S. passport card in the name of J.S. He later obtained a passport card based upon his false representation that he was J.S.
Cantos pleaded guilty on September 1, 2017 to making false statements. After serving his time in prison, he will be deported back to Ecuador.
“It is vital to ensure that United States passports are not issued to individuals who are not entitled to receive them,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “In order to protect the integrity of the passport process, those who use fraud or false statements in order to obtain passports will be identified and prosecuted.”
“The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to working with the U.S. Department of Justice and our other law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of crime related to passport and visa fraud and to bring those who commit these crimes to justice,” said Michael Bishop, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Los Angeles Field Office of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS).
The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Robert Kinsella prosecuted the case.
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Manchester Man Receives 18 Month Prison Sentence for Fraudulent Tax Returns SchemeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Kenneth Feliz, 53, of Manchester and the former owner of the Smug Peach check cashing business in Nashua, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in a fraudulent federal income tax scheme, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from January 2012 to December 2013, Gladys Pena, a resident of Bronx, New York, couriered 161 U.S. Treasury tax refund checks, totaling more than $1.1 million, from New York New York, to Feliz in New Hampshire. As Pena knew, the checks were obtained from the Internal Revenue Service by conspirators who filed fraudulent income tax returns using legitimate taxpayers’ stolen social security numbers and other personal identifying information. Feliz knowingly cashed the checks in exchange for fees that were equal to 10 percent of the value of each check.
Feliz previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal public money, theft of public, money and aggravated identity theft.
On May 22, 2017, Pena was sentenced to a 54-month term of incarceration for her role in the scheme. Feliz and Pena are also required to make restitution payments totaling $1,095,879.44 to the United States Treasury.
“Tax refund schemes such as this not only steal money from taxpayers but also cause serious harm to the individuals who have their identification information stolen,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We will continue to work closely with the IRS to protect the integrity of the tax system and to protect the public from identity theft crimes.”
“Investigating identity theft and tax refund fraud is a top priority for IRS Criminal Investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Joel P. Garland. “Each phase of this crime is a serious offense, from stealing innocent victims’ identities, to filing false tax returns, and cashing fraudulently-obtained refund checks as Mr. Feliz did. This sentence highlights our commitment, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to eradicate identity theft, safeguard honest taxpayers and protect the integrity of our Nation’s tax system.”
The case was by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Manchester, with assistance from the IRS/CI office in New York, N.Y. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bill Morse and Bob Kinsella.
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Lawrence Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Allan Raymond Pimentel, 21, of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for his participation in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
Court filings and statements made in court established that Pimentel participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) between June 2016 and October 2016 during which time he delivered drugs to his own customers while being supplied by the DTO. Pimentel also delivered drugs to customers of the DTO.
Pimental, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, will serve three years of supervised release after serving his prison sentence.
The investigation and prosecution of Pimentel a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) effort to address heroin distribution in New Hampshire. In addition to DeJesus’s prosecution, Alberto Guerrero Marte, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Michell DeJesus, 34, Luis Rodriguez Lugo, 34, Maria Miguelina Lara, 33, Santo Rodolfo Garcia Mendez, 33, Wilkin Andres Beltre Arias, 39, Edward Garcia, 31, and Luis Colon, 30, all entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Allison DeJesus, age 19, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation. Jonaly DeJesus, 22, was sentenced to time served and five years of supervised release. In a related case, Mark Gagnon, 54, of Candia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison.
“The law enforcement community is united in its effort to stop the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, and other dangerous drugs into our state,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This defendant and his associates were responsible for the distribution of significant amounts of heroin. Those like this defendant who choose to profit from the sale of deadly drugs will be prosecuted aggressively.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in the Granite State and those suffering from heroin and fentanyl addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations or individuals 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.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA; 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. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald A. Feith.
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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Manchester Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Elizabeth Salinas-Roldan, 42, previously of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and July 2016, the defendant arranged with others to distribute cocaine to a cooperating individual in transactions that were audio and video-recorded. The defendant was arrested in December of 2016.
Salinas-Roldan will be sentenced on April 12, 2018. She has been in custody since her arrest.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office works each day with our law enforcement partners to stop drug trafficking in our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the hard work of the law enforcement officers whose efforts resulted in this conviction.”
“This guilty plea not only exemplifies Ms. Salinas-Roldan's full acceptance of her criminal activity, but her role in fueling the flow of illegal narcotics right here in Manchester,” said Special Agent in Charge, Harold H. Shaw, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division (FBI). “The FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue do everything in its power to address violence and gang activity within our communities, as well as stop the sale of illegal drugs and dangerous substances impacting our neighbors, families, and friends across the region.”
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which consists of FBI Special Agents and members of the Manchester Police Department, the Hudson Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Nashua Police Department, and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. It was also 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Maine Woman Sentenced to 57 Months for Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Nicole Perry, 22, of Berwick, Maine, was sentenced in federal court to 57 months’ in prison for fentanyl trafficking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 20, 2016, members of the Strafford County Drug Task Force conducted surveillance on a vehicle in which Perry was a passenger as it travelled from Gonic, New Hampshire to Lawrence, Massachusetts. As the car returned to New Hampshire, law enforcement officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 16, just beyond the Dover tolls. Perry admitted that she had purchased drugs, which were concealed in her clothing. A later search revealed that Perry was in possession of approximately 116 grams of fentanyl.
In September of 2017, Perry pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Upon her release from federal prison, Perry will serve a period of three years of supervised release.
“Fentanyl continues to be the primary cause of the large number of deadly overdose deaths that are plaguing the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the work of the law enforcement officers in this case who successfully prevented the distribution of a large quantity of this deadly drug. We will continue to work closely each day with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of fentanyl and other deadly drugs into our state.”
This matter was investigated by the Strafford County Drug Task Force, including officers from the police departments of Dover and Rochester, NH, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department, and the New Hampshire State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis and Shane B. Kelbley.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic Large Quantities of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that
Brian O’Rourke, 54, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made during today’s plea hearing, on or about April 19, 2017, U.S. Postal Inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed to O’Rourke from Las Vegas, Nevada, that they opened pursuant to a federal search warrant. Inside, they found 5.349 kilograms – approximately 12 pounds -- of highly potent methamphetamine. After removing the methamphetamine and substituting a “dummy” substance to restore the package to its original weight, Postal Inspectors arranged for the delivery of the package to O’Rourke. Surveilling law enforcement officers then watched O’Rourke as he drove to an area behind a Manchester furniture store, where O’Rourke met with Dustin Moss, and transferred the package to Moss. Four days later, O’Rourke received another package, which Postal Inspectors opened with O’Rourke’s consent. Inside was an additional 3.571 kilograms – or eight pounds -- of highly potent methamphetamine.
Dustin Moss, 29, of Manchester, Katrina Jones, 39, of Goffstown, and Sabrina Moss, 31, of Manchester, also face federal charges related to this methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Dustin Moss and Katrina Jones are scheduled for trial on March 6, 2018. Sabrina Moss is scheduled for trial on January 23, 2018.
O’Rourke’s sentencing has been scheduled for March 30, 2018.
“Although our state is facing a significant opioid crisis, other dangerous drugs continue to present a threat to the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Methamphetamine is a deadly drug that has been linked to overdoses in New Hampshire. I commend the law enforcement officers for their work in this case, which prevented a very substantial amount of methamphetamine from being distributed in our community.”
This matter was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the N.H. Attorney General’s Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Morse and John Davis.
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Rochester Man Convicted of Fentanyl Trafficking Charges Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Casey Jones, 41, formerly of Rochester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking.
Statements made in court and court filings established that during the late evening hours of March 31, 2016, a New Hampshire State Police Trooper on patrol in Dover, New Hampshire observed the defendant driving his vehicle erratically. As a result, the trooper conducted a traffic stop of the defendant’s vehicle. During the course of the traffic stop, $2,266 in cash was located on the defendant’s person. A search of the defendant’s vehicle at the scene resulted in the seizure of a digital scale, cell phone, plastic baggies commonly used for packaging narcotics, and hypodermic needles. The vehicle was towed to the New Hampshire State Police barracks and a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle. During the search, over 77 grams of fentanyl were found in a duffle bag within the vehicle.
In September of 2017, Jones pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. Upon his release from federal prison, Jones will serve a period of three years of supervised release.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address the significant presence of heroin and fentanyl in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We will continue to target those who are distributing these deadly drugs in the streets of New Hampshire and to prosecute drug trafficking offenses aggressively. I commend the Trooper whose work prevented a significant amount of fentanyl from being distributed in New Hampshire.”
The investigation was conducted by the New Hampshire State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Matthew Adey, 47, of Malden Massachusetts was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.
According to statements in court and court documents, on February 26, 2017, the defendant met a 14-year-old boy in an online local interest chat group. The defendant, aware of the child’s age, requested a photograph of the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct, which the child took and sent to the defendant. The defendant continued to communicate with the child over the Internet. On March 4, 2017, the defendant traveled from Massachusetts to the child’s residence in New Hampshire. On March 4 and March 5, 2017, the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with the child multiple times. A subsequent forensic analysis of the defendant’s computers indicated that he possessed various images and videos containing additional child pornography.
Adey, who previously pleaded guilty, will be on supervised release for ten years following his release from prison.
“Those who produce child pornography rob children of their innocence and cause immeasurable harm,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “We work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who prey on minors. Lengthy sentences like this should send a clear message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community.”
The investigation in this case was led by the Londonderry, New Hampshire Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Computer Crimes Unit, and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. 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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Franconia Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Cassandra Chandler, 25, of Franconia, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 18, 2017, after an investigation of Chandler's possession of drugs, law enforcement officers from the Franconia, Littleton, and Sugar Hill, New Hampshire police departments executed a search warrant for Chandler's apartment in Franconia, New Hampshire. In Chandler’s bedroom, within arm's reach of her bed, officers found approximately 48 grams of fentanyl.
Chandler is scheduled to be sentenced on March 29, 2018.
“Fentanyl and other deadly drugs are causing tremendous harm in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the work of the police officers in this case. By getting this fentanyl off the streets, they may have saved several lives.”
This matter was investigated by the Franconia Police Department, with the assistance of the Littleton and Sugar Hill Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.
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Concord Woman Sentenced to 70 MonthsFor Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Felicia Jordan, 28, of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for drug trafficking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Concord police offices conducted several undercover drug buys from Jordan in March 2016. On May 19, 2016, police executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence, resulting in the seizure of almost 100 grams of fentanyl.
On September 13, 2017, Jordan pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
“As the large number of fatal fentanyl-related overdoses in our state show, fentanyl is a deadly drug,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The law enforcement community in New Hampshire is working hard each day to stop the flow of this deadly drug into our state. While those suffering from addiction need access to treatment, those who choose to distribute fentanyl in the Granite State will be prosecuted aggressively.”
This matter was investigated by the Concord Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shane B. Kelbley and Georgiana L. Konesky.
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Candia Man Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for Heroin TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Mark Gagnon, 54, of Candia, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for possessing heroin with intent to distribute.
Gagnon was convicted at a jury trial on August 2, 2017. Testimony during the trial showed that on July 10, 2016, Gagnon and Alfredo Gonzalez traveled from Manchester, New Hampshire to Lawrence, Massachusetts to acquire approximately 500 grams of heroin from a drug trafficking organization led by Alberto Guerrero Marte. Gagnon and Gonzalez met with Marte at a restaurant in Lawrence at approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 10, 2016. Gagnon retrieved a shopping bag containing three cans of tomato sauce from Marte’s vehicle. Gagnon placed the cans in his own vehicle and drove to New Hampshire. During a traffic stop of Gagnon’s vehicle, a drug detection dog alerted officers that the vehicle contained drugs. After obtaining a search warrant on the following day, law enforcement officers searched the vehicle and found that the three cans of tomato sauce contained over 500 grams of heroin.
After serving his prison sentence, Gagnon will be on supervised release for a period of three years.
Alberto Guerrero Marte is serving a 15-year prison sentence. Gonzalez was convicted at trial on November 10, 2017. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2018.
“This case is an example of how federal, state, and local law enforcement officers continue to work together to stop the flow of heroin and other drugs into New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The investigators in this case prevented a large quantity of heroin from being sold in the Granite State. While we support access to treatment for those who suffer from addiction, individuals like Mr. Gagnon who participate in the distribution of deadly drugs will be prosecuted aggressively.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire and across the North East,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl and heroin are causing overdose deaths across the Granite State, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who distributes and profits from spreading this misery. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA; 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 Donald Feith.
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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Resident of Webster, New York Pleads Guilty to Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John Farley announced today that Judith Morale (formerly known as Judith Remo), 54, currently a resident of Webster, New York, has pleaded guilty to health care fraud.
According to court documents, from 2006 to 2012, Morale owned and operated a business, Bedford Geriatric Physical Therapy, LLC, that provided physical therapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Through the business, Morale provided routine foot care (e.g., toenail trimming, ingrown toenail repair and callus shaving) to patients in an assisted living facility in Bedford, New Hampshire. Knowing that the services were not covered by Medicare, Morale obtained payments totaling $41,127.89 by submitting claims for payment to Medicare that falsely described these routine services as wound care.
Morale is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Court Judge Joseph DiClerico on March 27, 2018.
“Fraud against federal health care programs such as Medicare is a very a serious crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “When health care providers fraudulently obtain money from the Medicare program, they will be held accountable for their actions. I commend the efforts of the law enforcement agents whose work led to this conviction.”
“By literally using the Medicare system as her own personal ATM, Ms. Morale violated the basic trust that taxpayers extend to healthcare providers.” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “Fraudulently billing the government defrauds every American taxpayer, and the FBI is committed to finding those who abuse public health care programs to which we all contribute and depend on.”
“Every Medicare dollar is needed to provide necessary patient care, thus skimming off funds by providers will not be tolerated,” said Phillip M. Coyne, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The message is clear. Those who steal from Medicare will have to pay the price.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Davis and Robert Kinsella.
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Northfield Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Carfentanil Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Justin Gauthier, 39, formerly of Northfield, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to charges that he unlawfully possessed methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil with the intent to distribute and that he unlawfully possessed firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Court documents and statements in court showed that law enforcement officers executed two search warrants on Gauthier’s Northwood residence. During the first search on August 5, 2016, law enforcement officers seized quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, multiple firearms, and $13,980 in cash. During the second search on March 10, 2017, quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil, multiple firearms, and $6,791 in cash were seized.
“Guns and drugs are a deadly combination and those who use guns as part of the drug trade present a substantial threat to our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This case is particularly notable because the defendant was distributing carfentanil. Carfentanil is far more powerful than fentanyl and presents a serious public safety concern. In order to protect the public, we will work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who seek to profit from the distribution of carfentanil and other deadly substances.”
"ATF will continue to work with our law enforcement counterparts, to aggressively combat drug traffickers and the threat they pose to our citizens by illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of their illegal drug trade," said Mickey Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.
Gauthier’s sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2018.
This case is being investigated by the New Hampshire State Police, Narcotics Investigation Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tilton and Northfield, New Hampshire Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.
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New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Obstruction of Justice in Connection with U.S. Department of Labor Investigation and LawsuitRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Kevin Corriveau, 42, of Nashua, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court today to one count of obstruction of justice in connection with an investigation and litigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the District of New Hampshire announced today.
According to court documents, Corriveau owned and operated a painting company, Kevin Corriveau Painting, Inc. Corriveau admitted that he caused an employee of his company to provide false information to investigators from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division in 2009 and 2011 regarding the extent of overtime hours worked by employees of the company.
From 2007 through April 2011, Corriveau had been directing employees to report only non-overtime work payroll and time records to conceal Fair Labor Standards Act overtime violations from being found in those records. In 2011, Corriveau himself also falsely stated to investigators that his employees did not work overtime on a Needham, Massachusetts, construction project.
In 2013, in connection with a civil suit filed against him by the Department of Labor for alleged overtime violations, Corriveau knowingly created and provided the Department’s attorneys with fraudulent invoices and an altered change order that falsely stated that his employees did not work overtime on the Needham project.
Corriveau is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26, 2018.
This is believed to be the first federal criminal prosecution arising from a Labor Department wage and hour investigation in New Hampshire. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and Office of the Inspector General investigated the case with assistance from the Department’s Office of the Solicitor and Employee Benefits Security Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Kinsella and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Miller. Scott Miller is also a Senior Trial Attorney at the Labor Department’s Office of the Solicitor in Boston, Massachusetts.
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Former Pelham Resident Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Tax Evasion SchemeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Gary Peter Borak, 50, formerly of the Pelham, New Hampshire area, was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in a tax evasion scheme, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Borak filed a legitimate federal income tax return for 2007 – prepared by his accountant -- that established that he had an outstanding tax debt of more than $50,000. In response to IRS efforts to collect that debt after Borak failed to pay it, Borak engaged in a series of ploys in an attempt to defeat the payment of the tax and the assessment of new income taxes for future tax years.
Among other things, in 2011, Borak filed an amended return for 2007 and an original, but delinquent, tax return for 2008 in which he made bogus claims that he had large amounts of Original Issue Discount (often abbreviated “OID”) income and large amounts of corresponding withholding from a so-called non-existent “straw man” financial account. He claimed that the withholding not only satisfied his outstanding tax debt from 2007, but also qualified him for large tax refunds. To support his false claims, Borak created fake IRS forms purportedly prepared and issued by a particular bank and sent the IRS volumes of correspondence and other documents containing highly unconventional and meritless claims about the tax laws. Borak persisted in pressing his bogus claims even after the IRS and his accountant told him that they were frivolous. He also attempted to satisfy his tax debt by submitting sham financial instruments to the IRS.
Finally, until about two weeks before entering his guilty plea, Borak failed to file any tax returns for tax years 2009 through 2016, even though he earned substantial amounts of income in at least several of those years. Borak’s conduct resulted in an actual tax loss to the U.S. Treasury of about $168,147.
Borak previously had pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion two counts of making false statements on his tax returns. After serving his two-year prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay full restitution to the United States Treasury.
“This case shows that there are substantial penalties for those who attempt to use fraudulent techniques to avoid their tax obligations,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The defendant’s scheme of creating false documents in order to try to mislead the IRS was unlawful and he has been held accountable for his actions.”
“Our voluntary system of self-reported tax liability depends upon people to honestly report their income and timely pay their taxes,” said Joel Garland, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “Those who willfully file false tax returns and obstruct the IRS in their collection efforts damage our nation’s system of taxation. Violators will be prosecuted, punished, and obligated to repay their taxes along with applicable penalties and interest, which are substantial.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester office of Criminal Investigation of the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. They were assisted by the Rockingham County and Hillsborough County Sheriff Departments and the Atkinson, Hudson, Salem, and Pelham police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Aframe and Bill Morse.
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Barrington Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking and Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Crystal Watson, 37, of Barrington, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.
According to documents filed in court and statements made during the sentencing hearing, after an investigation of Watson’s drug trafficking activities, law enforcement officers executed search warrants and arrested Watson at her home in Barrington on April 7, 2015. During the search, officers seized $244,028 in United States currency, 570 grams of heroin, and three firearms.
On February 25, 2016, Watson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distribution of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. As part of her plea agreement, Watson agreed to forfeit the seized cash and firearms, as well as real estate, two log cabin style park trailers, and a vehicle.
“The law enforcement community is united in its effort to identify and prosecute those who are distributing heroin and other deadly drugs in the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Not only are drugs lethal, but those who possess firearms while trafficking in drugs present an added danger to the community. We will continue to do our utmost to prevent the distribution of drugs, reduce the risk of gun violence, and seize assets so that drug traffickers do not profit from their unlawful activities.”
“Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute this poison.”
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.
The DEA; the United States Marshals Service; the New Hampshire State Police; the Barrington Police Department; and the Rochester Police Department participated in the investigation of this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.
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New Hampton Man Sentenced on Cyberstalking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Brandon Gray, 22, of New Hampton, New Hampshire, was sentenced in federal court on Monday to 70 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release for possession of child pornography and cyberstalking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the District of New Hampshire announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the defendant created a fake online identity pretending to be a teen pop star, and met a 14-year-old child on the Internet. From 2014 to 2016, the child took various sexually explicit pictures and videos of himself and sent them to the defendant. Eventually, the child discovered that the online persona was fake and attempted to stop communicating with the defendant. The defendant responded by sending him harassing texts, emails, and chats over various social media outlets including messages threatening to post pornographic images of the child online. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence and he was found to be in possession of various images and videos constituting child pornography. The defendant admitted to using the alias, to possessing sexually explicit images of the minor victim, and to threatening to post them online.
“Keeping the Internet safe for children is one of the highest priorities of my office,” said Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley. “I commend the collaboration between the Louisiana State Police and Homeland Security Investigations personnel in New Hampshire in locating and bringing this individual to justice. Cyber predators cannot hide behind a computer screen. When their actions cause real harm, there will be real consequences.”
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Manchester, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Louisiana State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. 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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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Michael Roman Burghardt, 33, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to illegal firearm possession, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the District of New Hampshire announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement agents began an investigation after receiving information from a reliable source that Burghardt was regularly carrying a .380 caliber handgun. At the time, Burghardt had a prior felony conviction, and could not legally possess any firearms. After arresting Burghardt on an unrelated warrant, agents found in his coat pocket a handgun consistent with the information they had received.
Burghardt is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21, 2018.
“Gun violence threatens the safety of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “One important way to prevent gun violence is to enforce our firearms laws to ensure that criminals do not possess dangerous weapons. This case is one example of how the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working closely with our law enforcement partners to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.
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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Massachusetts Man Sentenced for Committing Bank Robberies in Three New England StatesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Vincent M. Torraco, 26, of Athol, Massachusetts, was sentenced to serve 43 months in federal prison for a series of bank robberies that occurred in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
According to court documents and statements made during Torraco’s earlier plea hearing, Torraco robbed TD Bank branches in Gardner, Massachusetts, on September 16, 2016, in Rindge, on September 23, 2016, and in Winchester, Connecticut, on September 24, 2016. In each robbery, Torraco passed a note to a bank teller demanding money. In at least two of the robberies, the notes included warnings not to include dye packs with the money. Torraco was identified as the robber in each instance through bank security images, which revealed distinctive clothing and physical characteristics common to Torraco, and in one case a fingerprint on the demand note. Torraco was arrested on September 27, 2016, in Huntersville, North Carolina.
Torraco previously pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery. After serving his sentence, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
“Bank robberies are inherently violent offenses that can jeopardize the lives of bank employees and customers,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime and to improve the safety of our communities.”
Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division said, "Mr. Torraco not only took money from a federally insured bank, he also intimidated the tellers, and wasted taxpayer resources by requiring law enforcement officers to search for him. This sentence imposed on the defendant reflects the serious nature of bank robbery. The FBI is proud of the relationship with its law enforcement partners and working together, we are able to make our community a safer place."
The investigation of this matter was overseen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and conducted by the Rindge (N.H.) Police Department, the Gardner (Massachusetts) Police Department, the Winchester (Connecticut) Police Department and the Huntersville (North Carolina) Police Department. The prosecution of the case is being coordinated with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the Middle District (Massachusetts) Attorney’s Office, and the Litchfield County (Connecticut) State’s Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Morse.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that, Rafael Delacruz, a/k/a “Simba,” 55, previously of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Friday to serve twelve years in federal prison for selling heroin and fentanyl in southern New Hampshire.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Delacruz sold heroin and fentanyl in hand-to-hand exchanges with cooperating individuals inside a retail store in Plaistow, New Hampshire on July 8, October 20, and November 19, 2015. Delacruz also admitted to selling fentanyl to a cooperating individual on June 22, 2016, inside a retail store in Epping, New Hampshire. Each of the transactions was surveilled and recorded by law enforcement officers and, in at least one instance, on a store’s security surveillance video.
Delacruz pleaded guilty on August 18, 2017, to three counts of distributing a controlled substance. After his release from prison, Delacruz will be required to serve a six-year term of supervised release.
“Those who come to New Hampshire to distribute deadly drugs will be identified and prosecuted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are working hard each day to stop the flow of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs from coming into the Granite State. I salute the teamwork of the officers who assisted in this investigation. Thanks to their efforts, this drug trafficker will no longer be damaging our community.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin and fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursuing Drug Trafficking Organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute these poisons in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice anyone who distributes these drugs.”
This matter was investigated by the Portsmouth (N.H.) Tactical Diversion Squad of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Berwick (Maine) Police Department with the help of the York (Maine) and Ogunquit (Maine) police departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Morse.
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Manchester Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley today announced that, after a four-day trial, a jury returned guilty verdicts late Wednesday afternoon against Valentin Delo Perez Soto, also known as Miguel Angel Sanchez Caraballo, 49, of Manchester, New Hampshire.
Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the defendant sold fentanyl and heroin to a cooperating individual on April 23, June 4, and October 2, 2015. A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence on Pearl Street in Manchester on November 2, 2015, where quantities of cocaine, oxycodone, and over 100 grams of heroin were recovered.
Perez Soto was convicted of one count of distributing fentanyl, two counts of distributing heroin, and one count of possessing cocaine, oxycodone and 100 grams of more of heroin with the intent to distribute.
Perez Soto, who is in custody, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and a maximum of life in prison. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
“This prosecution demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution of drugs in our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “While we recognize that those who struggle with substance abuse require access to treatment, we will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing these deadly substances in the Granite State.”
The investigation that led to this prosecution was co-led by the New Hampshire State Police and the FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force. They were assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Northeast Laboratory, and the Hillsborough County House of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Morse and Anna Dronzek.
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Former City of Nashua Volunteer Sentenced to 18 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Dana Michelle Lawrence, 43, of Nashua has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for using another person’s social security number.
According to court documents and statements made during a lengthy hearing in U.S. District Court yesterday, in 2006, Lawrence completed consecutive one-year prison terms for fraud-related offenses she committed in New York and Rhode Island. After Lawrence was released from a New York prison, she was required to serve a nine-year period of probation in connection with the Rhode Island case and pay restitution totaling more than $47,000 to the victims of that case. However, shortly after Lawrence completed the prison sentence, she absconded from supervision and a warrant was ultimately issued for her arrest.
Using an alias, “Genevieve Kaplan,” in November 2016, Lawrence began working as a volunteer for the City of Nashua, preparing grant applications. Last May, the Nashua Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation were told that “Kaplan” tried to obtain routing and account numbers for bank accounts that belonged to the City. The NPD and FBI discovered Lawrence’s true identity and obtained a copy of a lease application that “Kaplan” used to rent an apartment in Nashua. On the application, “Kaplan” used a social security number assigned to another person. She was arrested for that federal offense on May 11, 2017. She pleaded guilty on August 11, 2017.
During the 11-year period that Lawrence was a fugitive from justice, she used a number of aliases, social security numbers that belonged other people, falsely claimed to be a graduate of an Ivy League law school with access to substantial sums of money. She moved to different states in order to steal money from people she befriended, businesses that employed her, charitable organizations, and other entities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Nashua Police Department investigated the case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Kinsella and Anna Dronzek.
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Epsom Man Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Eric Collins, 43, of Epsom, pleaded guilty in federal court to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in February of 2017, Concord police officers executed a search warrant for the defendant’s vehicle and recovered two firearms, over $7,500 in cash and various controlled substances, including methamphetamine packaged for sale.
Collins is scheduled to be sentenced on March 5, 2018.
“Drugs and guns are a potentially deadly combination,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the law enforcement officers whose work on this case helped to improve the safety of our community.”
This matter was investigated by the Concord Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.
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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Haverhill Woman Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison for Participating in Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Judith Ardolino, 54, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 60 months in federal prison for participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.
According to court records and statements in court, Ardolino was one of several individuals who obtained quantities of heroin from a drug trafficking organization operated by Alberto Guerrero Marte. Ardolino and others operated “trap houses.” Trap houses are residences where customers of the drug trafficking organization could meet individuals who were delivering heroin to the customers. Drugs picked up at the trap houses were then sold to customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Ardolino was one of nine individuals indicted in October of 2016 for their roles in this heroin distribution conspiracy. All of the defendants, with the exception of one who passed away, have pleaded guilty. One defendant, Eric Sederquest, 36, was sentenced to serve 92 months in prison. The remaining defendants are awaiting sentencing.
Ardolino previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin. Guerrero Marte, who was charged in a separate indictment and pleaded guilty, is serving a 15-year federal prison sentence.
“Stopping the distribution of heroin and other deadly drugs is a high priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement colleagues, a substantial drug trafficking operation has been dismantled.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.
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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Manchester Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Daniel Rogers, 31, of Manchester, New Hampshire was sentenced in federal court to eight years in prison for firearms and narcotics offenses, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, shortly after midnight on October 3, 2016, Manchester Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Rogers at the intersection of Granite Street and Commercial Street in downtown Manchester, New Hampshire. Police determined that there were outstanding warrants for both Rogers and his passenger. Both of them were arrested. Police subsequently obtained a warrant to search the vehicle, which resulted in the seizure of four firearms, including two rifles that were previously reported stolen, and a variety of controlled substances, including approximately 37 grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of crack cocaine, and 21 grams of powder cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Rogers was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Rogers pleaded guilty on July 27, 2017, to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He will serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
“Drugs and guns are a deadly combination,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Under the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those whose conduct jeopardizes the safety of our community. The actions of the law enforcement officers here removed deadly drugs from the street and disarmed a convicted felon. We will continue to work each day to protect the citizens of our state from the dangers of drug trafficking and gun violence.”
“ATF’s mission is to combat violent crime and this investigation resulted in meeting that standard,” said Mickey Leadingham Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division. “Today’s sentencing is another example of the importance of law enforcement partnerships and their effectiveness in protecting the citizens in our communities.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Bullitt Kelbley.
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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Alex “Lex” Hernandez, 27, previously of Manchester, New Hampshire and Lowell, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of distributing fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on three separate occasions in April, May and June 2016, Hernandez sold several “fingers” of fentanyl to a cooperating individual working with law enforcement. In total, Hernandez distributed approximately 110 grams of fentanyl across the three deals.
Hernandez still faces pending charges in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, for a cocaine-related offense.
Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2018.
“Fentanyl is associated with the vast majority of the drug overdose deaths in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “While we recognized that those who suffer from addiction should get access to treatment, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to target and prosecute those who are selling this deadly drug. Stopping the distribution of fentanyl is necessary to protect our communities.”
“This case is another example of an individual willing to distribute deadly drugs into our neighborhoods,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “With New Hampshire being at the epicenter of the opioid epidemic killing thousands, it is only by working together that we can make a difference. The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force will continue to do everything it can to bring to justice those that put these highly addictive drugs on our streets and into the hands of abusers.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which consists of FBI Special Agents and members of the Manchester Police Department, the Hudson Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Nashua Police Department, and the New Hampshire Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. Investigators also received assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, the Lowell, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Brooklyn Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Taheem Mungo, 35, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced in federal court to seven years in prison for drug trafficking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, New Hampshire State Police Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Mungo was a passenger on September 1, 2016. The stop occurred on Interstate 95 around Hampton, New Hampshire. Police arrested Mungo after learning that he had an active arrest warrant out of New York. Mungo then consented to a search of his luggage, which resulted in the seizure of controlled substances, including approximately 172 grams of crack cocaine and 10 grams of heroin.
Mungo pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute on July 26, 2017. He will serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
“Drug trafficking continues to pose a significant danger to the health and welfare of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “I commend the efforts of the State Police in this matter. Their investigative work prevented these drugs from being distributed in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane Bullitt Kelbley.
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Manchester Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – James Diaz, 36, previously of Manchester, NH, was sentenced in federal court to 70 months in prison for firearms and narcotics offenses, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Diaz’s residence in Manchester on February 16, 2017, leading to the recovery of a previously stolen CZ 75, 9mm handgun. Diaz is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm as a result of a prior felony conviction. Controlled substances, including approximately 18 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of cocaine, approximately $3,000 in U.S. currency, and unrelated ammunition were also seized from Diaz’s residence. As part of his plea agreement, Diaz additionally admitted to the possession of five other firearms and assorted ammunition which were not in his apartment during the search warrant, but were later turned over to law enforcement.
Diaz, who previously pleaded guilty on July 26, 2017, will serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Manchester Police Department. 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. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Manchester Man Convicted of Participating in Heroin Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that on Thursday a federal jury found Alfredo Gonzalez, 50, of Manchester, New Hampshire, guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.
Evidence presented at the trial established that Gonzalez was a Manchester-based heroin trafficker who purchased heroin from a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization run by Alberto Guerrero Marte. The trial evidence proved that Gonzalez negotiated deals to obtain at least 1.4 kilograms of heroin in June and July 2016. On July 10, 2016, surveillance agents followed Gonzalez from Manchester to a restaurant in Lawrence, where Gonzalez met Marte and others to conduct a deal for 500 grams of heroin. A law enforcement officer later stopped a vehicle operated by a runner for Gonzalez and seized 504.4 grams of heroin.
Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2018.
The trial of Gonzalez concludes the prosecutions of all but one of those arrested in October 2016 following an investigation into a large heroin trafficking operation. Alberto Guerrero Marte, 38, pleaded guilty to a heroin trafficking conspiracy charge and was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison. Michell DeJesus, 34, Luis Rodriguez Lugo, 34, Maria Miguelina Lara, 33, Jonaly Dejesus, 22, Allan Raymond Pimentel, 21, Santo Rodolfo Garcia Mendez, 33, Wilkin Andres Beltre Arias, 39, Edward Garcia, 31, and Luis Colon, 30, all have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Allison DeJesus, age 19, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation.
One remaining defendant, Pedro Carlos Vicente Guerrero, 48 is scheduled for trial in February of 2018. Two other defendants, Santos Guerrero Morillo, 37, and Heibrahim DelValle Baez, 33, are fugitives.
“The conviction of this significant heroin trafficker is an example of the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution of heroin and other drugs in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Farley. “While those who are battling addiction need access to treatment, people like this defendant who seek to profit from selling heroin will be prosecuted aggressively. I salute the hard work of the DEA and our law enforcement partners. Their quick action in seizing this large quantity of heroin prevented the defendant from selling this deadly substance to the citizens of New Hampshire.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from Opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin and fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA is committed to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations or individuals who are coming from out of state to distribute these poisons in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice anyone who distributes these drugs.”
This matter was investigated by the DEA; 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 Donald Feith.
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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Derry Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Peter Morency, 34, of Derry, New Hampshire pleaded guilty today to three counts of producing child pornography.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Morency filmed and photographed himself performing sexual acts on two children. The children, who were known to Morency, appeared to be sleeping at the time. A forensic examination of devices possessed by Morency uncovered over 5,000 still images and over 2,000 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, of which approximately 30 still images and 37 videos were created by the defendant. The defendant admitted to possessing and to producing the images.
Morency will be sentenced on February 22, 2018. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison on each count of conviction.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the children of the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who exploit children cause untold amounts of harm to their victims and our entire community. We will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to identify and prosecute those who produce child pornography to ensure that they cannot exploit additional children or cause further harm.”
"The sexual exploitation of children is a heinous crime that causes irreparable harm to its young victims," said Michael Shea, acting special agent in charge of HSI Boston. "To rescue these innocent victims, HSI works closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities from child predators."
This case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Derry Police Department, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes members of several other police departments. The case is being 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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New Hampshire Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Bank Robberies During Spring 2016 Crime SpreeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Michael Munroe, a/k/a Michael Monroe, 34, previously of Raymond, New Hampshire, was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday to 11 years in prison for his role in two bank robberies and other criminal conduct in 2016, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Munroe robbed a Northway Bank branch location in Ossipee, New Hampshire on March 28, 2016, and a Granite State Credit Union branch location in Seabrook, New Hampshire on April 1, 2016. He committed each robbery by passing a demand note to the teller threatening that he had a gun and demanding money. There was no evidence that Munroe actually was armed at the time. Following each robbery, Munroe fled the scene.
The two bank robberies, to which Munroe pleaded guilty in June 2017, were part of a larger well-publicized two-state multi-week crime spree perpetrated by Munroe in March and April 2016. As part of his federal plea agreement, Munroe also admitted to other criminal conduct, including: (1) the March 19, 2016, assault on an individual in his home in Epping, New Hampshire; (2) the March 27, 2016, taking of a victim’s Honda Pilot from her possession in Manchester, New Hampshire; (3) the March 30, 2016, taking of a victim’s Lexus ES300 from her possession in Tewksbury, Massachusetts; (4) the March 31, 2016, attempted taking of a victim’s Toyota Highlander from her possession in Reading, Massachusetts; and (5) the April 1, 2016, theft of a Honda CRV while it was parked in Derry, New Hampshire. Munroe has been in custody since his arrest by Hancock Police on April 2, 2016.
Munroe, who previously pleaded guilty, will serve three years of supervised release following completion of his sentence. The Court additionally ordered Munroe to pay restitution to the banks and other victims, totaling $14,856.63.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The robberies and other violent acts committed by this defendant cannot be tolerated. I commend the hard work of the law enforcement officers who put a stop to this defendant’s crime spree and prevented him from committing further acts of violence.”
“The FBI will do everything in its power to prevent criminals like Mr. Munroe from casting a shadow of violence over our streets,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “While his crime spree has come to an end, we’ll continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime and keep our communities safe.”
This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Manchester Police Department, the Ossipee Police Department, the Seabrook Police Department, the Hancock Police Department, the Epping Police Department, the Derry Police Department, the Tewksbury, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Reading, Massachusetts Police Department. Assistance was provided by the County Attorney’s Offices for Hillsborough, Carroll, and Rockingham Counties in New Hampshire and the Middlesex County, Massachusetts District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Anthony Swift, 32, formerly of Hartford, Connecticut , pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
Court documents and statements in court showed that on May 23, 2016, the New Hampshire State Police conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle traveling on Interstate 95. Swift was a passenger in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 14.46 grams of fentanyl and 120.4 grams of heroin from a duffel bag in the trunk of the vehicle. Swift acknowledged that the drugs had been purchased in Hartford, Connecticut for distribution in Presque Isle, Maine area.
The driver of the vehicle, Emily Bragdon, 20, of Presque Isle, Maine, is scheduled for trial on January 23, 2018.
Swift’s sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2018.
“I commend the State Police for their work in preventing this substantial amount of drugs from being distributed,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to stop the sales of heroin and fentanyl in New England.”
This investigation was conducted by the New Hampshire State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis is prosecuting the case.
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Former New Hampshire Investment Banker Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Defrauding Client of $2 MillionRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Karl Edward Hahn, 44, of Manchester, Connecticut and formerly of New Castle, New Hampshire was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for participating in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded a victim of approximately $2 million.
According to court records and statements in court, Hahn lived in New Hampshire and was employed as an investment advisor at investment banks in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Starting as early as March of 2009 and continuing until July of 2010, he invited one of his investment clients to join him in what he referred to as an “off the books” investment. He described that investment as follows: Hahn and the victim would each contribute approximately $2 million, which Hahn would then loan to three individuals who would repay the money within 90 days with interest substantially above market rates. Hahn told the victim the “loan” would be secured by three pieces of residential real estate, one owned by each of the three borrowers, which were all unencumbered and which collectively had a value far in excess of the approximately $4 million loan.
Hahn told the victim that no one could know about the investment, including the defendant’s employer, because he was not allowed to enter into financial dealings with clients other than through his employment. In order to prevent his employer from learning of the “off the books” transaction, Hahn asked the victim to transfer the money into a bank account held by one of Hahn’s relatives and that Hahn would then get the money from his relative.
The victim agreed and transferred to Hahn’s relative’s account, in separate transactions, $300,000, $1,600,000, $100,000, and $35,000, totaling $2,035,000. Hahn later admitted that the entire story of landowners wanting to borrow money was false, that there never were three landowners who wanted to borrow money collateralizing the loans with deeds, and that loans were never made to any landowners using the victim’s money. Hahn simply used the victim’s money to pay personal expenses. In 2011, the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation barred Hahn from being licensed to sell securities.
Hahn also admitted that during the course of executing the scheme, he made additional materially false representations to the victim that lulled him into a false sense of security and caused him to temporarily refrain from reporting his dealings with the defendant to law enforcement authorities. Those false statements included: 1) that the supposed borrowers had defaulted on the loans; 2) that as a result of the alleged defaults, Hahn had possession of the deeds to the supposed borrowers’ properties; and 3) that Hahn had communicated with a hedge fund so the hedge fund could buy the properties, thereby resulting in the return of the victim’s money with interest. Hahn also later falsely represented to the victim that he had been successful in working with the supposed hedge fund and that he was confident that the victim would have his money back by early August of 2010.
Hahn, who previously pleaded guilty, will be required to begin serving his sentence on December 4, 2017.
This case was investigated by the FBI and United States Secret Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen.
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Laconia Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Timothy Raxter, 53, of Laconia, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court filings and statements made in court established that on January 23, 2017, Laconia Police executed a search warrant on Raxter’s vehicle, seizing a .40 caliber pistol and approximately 10 grams of “ice” methamphetamine. As a previously convicted felon, Raxter is prohibited from possessing firearms.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 15, 2018.
The case was investigated by the Police Departments of Gilford and Laconia in conjunction with the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the Police Departments of Hudson, Manchester, and Nashua. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.
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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Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty ToMailing Threatening CommunicationsRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Michael Dube, 48, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to three counts of mailing threatening communications, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the District of New Hampshire announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between March 2, 2016, and June 2, 2016, Dube sent three letters to victims located in New Hampshire, which contained threats to break the addressee’s legs, sexually assault his daughter, and to kill his son. The letters were postmarked in Boston and delivered to a residence in Sandown, New Hampshire.
Dube is scheduled to be sentenced on February 16, 2018.
This Sandown Police Department investigated the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the investigation. The Derry Police Department, the Salem Police Department, the Raymond Police Department, and the Tewksbury Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.
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Keene Man Sentenced for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Andrew Beezub, 34, of Keene, was sentenced on Thursday to 37 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children became aware in February 2016 that images and videos of suspected child pornography had been uploaded to a Dropbox account. Additional investigation by the Keene Police Department determined that the account was associated with the defendant. A search warrant in April 2016 resulted in the seizure of the defendant’s computer and telephone. A forensic analysis of the defendant’s telephone established its link to the Dropbox account where videos of child pornography were stored.
Beezub pleaded guilty on May 1, 2017, to one count of possessing child pornography. After servicing his sentence, he will be on supervised release for five years.
The U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Keene Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was also provided by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Hinsdale Police Department, and the Hampton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.
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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Federal Inmate Pleads Guilty to Escape ChargeRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Eric Judkins, 34, formerly of Nashua, pleaded guilty in federal court to an escape charge, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Judkins received a 210-month federal prison sentence in 2000 for a bank robbery he committed in New Hampshire. While serving the sentence in a federal prison in Pennsylvania, Judkins pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate and received an additional 27-month prison sentence.
On June 13, 2017, Judkins was transferred from a federal prison in Kentucky to the Hampshire House Residential Reentry Center in Manchester, with an expected release date of April 8, 2018. With permission from the Hampshire House staff, Judkins left the facility on August 28, 2017, and was required to return before 4:30 p.m. He failed to return as required. On August 31, 2017, Judkins was arrested by Deputy United States Marshals and local law enforcement officers in Howard, Pennsylvania.
Judkins will be sentenced on February 13, 2018.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert M. Kinsella.
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Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison on Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Alberto Guerrero Marte, 34, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced yesterday to serve 15 years in federal prison for participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Guerrero Marte ran a heroin trafficking organization that distributed heroin to customers from New Hampshire and Massachusetts through residences owned or occupied by individuals cooperating with the drug trafficking organization. Day-to-day customer orders for heroin were taken by a member of the conspiracy who would pass that information on to Guerrero Marte. The information was relayed to a delivery person who would deliver the heroin to a customer and pick up payment for the heroin.
Guerrero Marte previously pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, heroin. He is expected to be deported to the Dominican Republic after serving his sentence.
“This defendant was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of heroin to customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and deserves the lengthy sentence that was imposed by the Court,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “While we recognize the importance of providing access to treatment for those suffering from addiction, we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who are profiting from the sales of heroin and other deadly drugs. I commend the hard work of the law enforcement officers whose efforts led to the successful prosecution of this significant drug trafficker.”
“Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire and across the North East,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Heroin is causing deaths in record numbers and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue Drug Trafficking Organizations who distribute this poison in order to profit and destroy people’s lives and wreak havoc in our communities. This investigation would not have been a success without the continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; 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 is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.
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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Manchester Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Justin M. Brady-Muller, 28, of Manchester, was sentenced to serve 72 months in federal prison for bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 14, 2016, Brady-Muller entered a Bank of America branch office on Hooksett Road in Manchester and presented a teller a note stating "This is a robbery." The note demanded that the teller hand over all of the money in her drawer and stated that no one would get hurt as long as the teller did not include any dye packs or "funny money." Bank security images showed that the robber was wearing a sweatshirt with distinctive lettering. The teller complied with the demand note and the robber left the bank with both the money and the note. Police were able to preliminarily identify the robber as Brady-Muller on the basis of, among other things, tips from the public. A search warrant later executed on a car driven by Brady-Muller confirmed that preliminary identification when it yielded a hand-written demand note resembling the one described by the bank teller and a sweatshirt with the same distinctive lettering on the sweatshirt worn by the robber in the bank surveillance images.
Brady-Muller pleaded guilty on May 25, 2017.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Brady-Muller’s sentence included (i) an order requiring him to pay back to Bank of America the money that he stole and (ii) a term of supervised release of three years during which he will have to abide by certain rules and conditions set by the court.
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Morse.
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Former New Hampshire Man Pleads Guilty to Making A False Statement to Commit Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Arthur Nunes, III, 41, formerly of Dover, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty today in federal court to making a false statement in order to obtain Social Security benefits, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.
According to court documents and statements made at today’s hearing, in February of 2012, Nunes submitted an application for Child’s Insurance Benefits to the Social Security Administration on behalf of his two children based on the earnings record of their mother, who had passed away in January of 2012. On the application, he indicated that the children resided with him. The application was approved and Nunes, as the children’s representative payee, began receiving monthly benefits in March of 2012. As their representative payee, Nunes was responsible for using the benefits he received on behalf of his children for their current needs, such as food, clothing, housing, and medical care. In a 2014 report filed with the Social Security Administration, Nunes maintained that the children resided with him and that he used the benefits for the children’s care and support.
An investigation revealed that the children had lived with a relative after their mother passed away and the children had not lived with Nunes at any time after their mother’s death. The investigation also showed that Nunes had not used any of the benefits to support the children. The defendant’s concealment of the true residency of the children and his failure to use the benefits for their needs caused him to get $36,526 in Child’s Insurance Benefits payments that he was not entitled to receive.
Nunes is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2018.
The case was investigated by the by the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Karen Burzycki.
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Milford Man Pleads GuiltyTo Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Harry Bolton, 63, of Milford, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court today to 11 counts of cocaine distribution.
According to court filings and statements in court, Bolton sold cocaine to a cooperating individual on 11 separate occasions. The transactions occurred at locations in Bedford, Goffstown, Milford, Weare, and Wilton, New Hampshire. Bolton is the president of Milford & Company Motorcycle Club.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 1, 2018.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working each day with our law enforcement partners to combat drug trafficking in New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who choose to sell drugs in the Granite State will be held accountable for their conduct.”
“This case is another great example of our continued efforts to disrupt and dismantle the criminal behavior of outlaw motorcycle gangs, which can promote illicit drug trafficking and bring violence into our neighborhoods,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “I'm proud of the hard work and long hours the members of the FBI's Safe Streets Gang Task Force put into this case. We are committed to working as a law enforcement team and maximizing our resources in order to protect the citizens of the Granite State."
The case was investigated by the FBI New Hampshire Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which is comprised of the FBI, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Probation and Parole, and the Police Departments of Hudson, Manchester, and Nashua. 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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Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
CONCORD, N.H. - Kaisle J. Raikes, 25, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and firearms charges, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley of the District of New Hampshire announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning on or about May 16, 2017 through May 31, 2017, on three separate occasions, Raikes sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Manchester Police Department. Raikes had firearms displayed during two of the drug transactions. At the time of his arrest, Raikes had drugs on his person as well as a loaded firearm in his sock. The Manchester Police Department subsequently executed a search warrant at Raikes’ apartment and seized two loaded firearms, ammunition, and quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and Suboxone.
Raikes pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,
Raikes is scheduled to be sentenced on February 1, 2018.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop drug trafficking and violent crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Guns and drugs are a potentially lethal combination that can threaten the safety of our communities. This case is an example of our ongoing effort to target those who commit gun-related crimes.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.
The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.
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