District of New Hampshire

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Edward Garcia, 36, of Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing fentanyl at the Rockingham Mall in June and July 2015.

          According to documents on file with the court and statements made at today’s change of plea hearing, in 2015 law enforcement officers were targeting the sale of heroin and fentanyl from sources located in Massachusetts. As part of the investigation, an undercover officer purchased fentanyl from Garcia on June 12, 2015 and on July 14, 2015. Each sale involved 29.5 grams of the controlled substance fentanyl.

          A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 23, 2017.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of fentanyl into New Hampshire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Because even a small quantity of fentanyl can be deadly, we will continue to work together to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing this drug and will make every effort to stop this drug from being sold in New Hampshire. While those who suffer from substance use disorders should receive treatment, those who seek to profit from the drug trade need to be held accountable for their actions.”

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl is causing overdose deaths across the Granite State in record numbers, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes 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 and our strong relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Task Force Officers from a number of New Hampshire law enforcement agencies and members of the Massachusetts State Police assisted in the investigation. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Don Feith.

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          Concord, N.H.—John J. Farley, Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, announced that Micky Garst, Jr., 26, previously of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to spend 46 months in federal prison for his possession of two stolen firearms.

          According to court documents and statements in court, on the morning of August 19, 2015, Manchester Police investigating a reported fight outside a pizza parlor encountered a large crowd, including the defendant and a female companion. After investigating the source of the conflict, officers asked to search the companion’s vehicle, and she consented. Located in the trunk was a Colt .45 handgun that had been reported stolen from a home in Manchester four days earlier. Blood samples from the scene of the theft were later confirmed by the state crime lab as a match with Garst. Later, in February 2016, Garst took a Ruger firearm from the home of an acquaintance. The firearm was recovered after Garst stashed it in the dumpster of a nearby convenience store. Garst is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law as a result of a prior felony conviction.

          Garst, who pleaded guilty on March 16, 2017, will spend three years on supervised release after he is released from prison. Garst has been in state custody on a parole violation based on the above conduct since his arrest in March 2016. His federal sentence will run consecutive to his remaining undischarged time in state prison.

          This matter was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Manchester Police Department, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory. 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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          Concord, N.H. — Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Mohammed Abdul Baten, 65, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty today to aiding and abetting visa fraud.

         According to court records and statements in court, the case arose out an investigation into falsely notarized documents used to obtain visas. Specifically, when a legal immigrant seeks to petition to have other alien relatives admitted into the country, the National Visa Center (“NVC”) requires that the petitioner demonstrate a sufficient income level to support the relatives upon their arrival. This process is intended to ensure that the new immigrants will not become public charges after they enter the country. If the petitioner does not have enough income, he or she may submit paperwork in which another person, i.e. the “joint sponsor,” agrees to provide financial support for the new arrivals. The joint sponsor also is required to document his or her own income and assets to ensure sufficient resources will be available. The joint sponsor is required to complete an I-864 form under penalties of perjury.

          In this case, a number of submissions to the NVC contained repeat joint sponsors appearing to support large numbers of petitioners. Further investigation revealed that many of these joint sponsors had not, in fact, agreed to serve as joint sponsors and did not sign the I-864 forms purporting to bear their signatures. Rather, the I-864 forms had been forged and were falsely notarized by Baten in his capacity as a notary public in Brooklyn, New York. In this respect, Baten’s notarizations were a material aid to the petitioners’ submissions of false and misleading documents to the NVC.

          A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 3, 2017.

          This matter was investigated by the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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          Concord, N.H.—Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Michael Munroe (also known as Michael Monroe), 34, previously of Raymond, New Hampshire, has pleaded guilty to two bank robberies.

          According to court records and statements in court, Munroe robbed a Northway Bank branch location in Ossipee, NH on March 28, 2016 and a Granite State Credit Union branch location in Seabrook, NH 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. Following each robbery, Munroe fled the scene.

          The two bank robberies were part of a larger two-state multi-week crime spree perpetrated by Munroe in March and April 2016. As part of his plea today and to resolve his pending liability in other jurisdictions, Munroe also has admitted to other criminal conduct, including: (1) the March 19, 2016 assault on an individual in his home in Epping, NH; (2) the March 27, 2016 taking of a victim’s Honda Pilot from her possession in Manchester, NH; (3) the March 30, 2016 taking of a victim’s Lexus ES300 from her possession in Tewksbury, MA; (4) the March 31, 2016 attempted taking of a victim’s Toyota Highlander from her possession in Reading, MA; and (5) the April 1, 2016 theft of a Honda CRV while it was parked in Derry, NH. Munroe has been in custody since his arrest by Hancock Police on April 2, 2016.

          As part of his plea agreement, Munroe has agreed to pay $1,645 in restitution to Northway Bank and $8,099 in restitution to Granite State Credit Union. He also has agreed to pay restitution to the victims of the uncharged additional criminal conduct detailed above.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for October 3, 2017.

          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 Tewksbury, MA Police Department, and the Reading, MA Police Department. Assistance was provided by the County Attorney’s Offices for Hillsborough, Carroll, and Rockingham Counties in New Hampshire and the Middlesex County, MA, District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Rolando Sierra-Oyola, 30, formerly of Andover, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl.

          According to court documents and statements made in court proceedings, Sierra-Oyola sold “fingers” (ten-gram quantities) of fentanyl on multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016 to individuals who were cooperating with law enforcement officers and who traveled from New Hampshire to purchase fentanyl. On some occasions, Sierra-Oyola sold the drugs directly. On other occasions, he sent “runners” to distribute the drugs on his behalf. He was arrested on July 22, 2016, outside his residence in Andover, Massachusetts. A search of his residence yielded additional quantities of fentanyl.

          A sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 12, 2017.

          “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute individuals who are distributing fentanyl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “This deadly drug is largely responsible for the substantial number of overdose deaths in the Granite State. Members of the law enforcement community will continue to work together to stop the flow of this drug into New Hampshire.”

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels across New England and those suffering from opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But those responsible for distributing a lethal drug like 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 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 partners and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the police departments in Portsmouth and Exeter, New Hampshire, the police departments in Andover, Lawrence, and Wilmington, Massachusetts, and the New Hampshire State Police.

The case was prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney John J. Farley and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Rigoberto Ramirez-Aldava, 40, formerly of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

          Statements in court documents and earlier court proceedings showed in June 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) received information that Ramirez-Aldava was in possession of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine. On June 21, 2016, an undercover DEA Task Force Officer met with Ramirez-Aldava at a location in Manchester, where Ramirez-Aldava provided the undercover officer with a sample of approximately 29 grams of methamphetamine. On June 29, 2016, the undercover officer met with Ramirez-Aldava at the same location in Manchester and purchased approximately 359 grams of methamphetamine for $8,000. On July 11, 2016, Ramirez- Aldava was arrested as he travelled to a pre-arranged location in Manchester where he intended to sell the undercover officer approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine for $85,000. Approximately 4.5 kilograms were recovered from Ramirez-Aldava’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.

          As part of the investigation, DEA agents searched the defendant’s business, El Patron Sports Bar and Grill in Manchester, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. A second search at Ramirez-Aldava’s Manchester apartment resulted in the seizure of $6,000 of the currency used in the June 29 drug sale.

          Ramirez-Aldava pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on March 16, 2017. Upon his release from federal prison, Ramirez-Aldava was ordered to serve two years of supervised release. However, Ramirez-Aldava is likely to be deported from the United States after completing his federal sentence.

          “Even in amid the opioid crisis, other deadly drugs continue to threaten our state,”

Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “The highly pure methamphetamine that was involved in this case could have presented a serious risk to our community if quick-acting law enforcement officers had not identified Ramirez-Aldava and seized his substantial drug supply. I commend the DEA and our local law enforcement partners for their excellent work in keeping this very large amount of methamphetamine off the streets.”

          “This sentence reflects DEA’s strong commitment to bring to justice those that distribute methamphetamine,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in the Granite State and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue anyone who traffics this poison.”

          The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Bedford Resident Office and the Manchester and Nashua New Hampshire Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H.— Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Sheldon Grant, 35, previously of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced today to serve 72 months in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.

          According to the indictment, statements made in court, and other public records in the case, Grant obtained a firearm as payment for a marijuana debt he was owed in 2015. At the time, Grant was a previously-convicted felon and could not legally purchase or possess any firearms. The firearm previously had been stolen in Nashua, New Hampshire in September 2015. The gun later was recovered from Grant following a domestic incident in Manchester in March 2016.

          Grant, who previously pleaded guilty to the offense, will be on supervised release for five years after he services his prison sentence.

This matter was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ (FBI) Safe Streets Gang Task Force, and the Manchester Police Department. The case is also 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 was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Brian Christoffels, 35, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for bank robbery.

          Court filings and statements made in court established that on October 10, 2016, Christoffels entered a TD Bank on South Main Street in Manchester, New Hampshire, handed a bank teller a note demanding cash, then fled the area in his truck. Manchester Police pursued Christoffels and eventually arrested him at an off-ramp from Interstate 93. The proceeds of the robbery were in his possession.

          Christoffels previously pleaded guilty to the bank robbery on March 13, 2017. After serving his prison sentence for bank robbery, he will be on supervised release for a period of three years.

          The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley, announced that David Morel, Jr., 31, of Derry, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for the District of New Hampshire for possessing child pornography.

          According to court records and statements in court, the New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Derry Police Department developed information linking online images of child pornography to Morel’s residence in Derry, New Hampshire. In April 2016, a search warrant was executed on Morel’s computer, which was found to contain numerous videos depicting young children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

          Morel, who pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography on December 21, 2016, will be placed on supervised release for ten years after he completes his prison sentence.

          The case was investigated by the Derry Police Department, in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations Manchester and the New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Helen Fitzgibbon and Shane Kelbley.

          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 Attorneys 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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          CONCORD, N.H. – Anna Delarosa, 57, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to making false statements in applications for family visas, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          According to court documents, a limited number of family visas are issued by the United States State Department to citizens of foreign countries. To obtain a family visa, a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States (a “sponsor”) is required to submit an application for a family visa to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. A citizen of a foreign country is not eligible for a family visa if he or she is likely to become a public charge after they enter the United States. Therefore, under federal law, a sponsor is also required demonstrate his or her ability to provide financial support to the applicant by submitting a financial affidavit, copies of their recent federal tax returns, and other personal financial records to the USCIS. All applications for family visas are processed at the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

          During the plea hearing today, Delarosa admitted that from August 2010 to April 2013, she knowingly caused ten financial affidavits that contained the forged signature of an alleged sponsor to be submitted to the National Visa Center in support of applications for family visas for citizens of the Dominican Republic.

          Delarosa will be sentenced on October 11, 2017. The crime to which she pleaded guilty, making false statements to the federal government, is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

          The case was investigated by the United States States Department, Diplomatic Security Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Kinsella.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Juan Alexis Diaz Pena, 31, formerly of Methuen, Massachusetts, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone and unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

          Statements in earlier court proceedings showed that from approximately the spring of 2014 through January of 2016, Pena and Martin Gonzalez Diaz, conspired to distribute quantities of heroin, fentanyl and oxycodone in the Lawrence, Massachusetts area to individuals in Massachusetts, who in turn sold the drugs to individuals in New Hampshire who were further distributing the drugs to customers in Rochester, New Hampshire.

          As part of the investigation, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) searched an apartment connected to Pena in January of 2016 and located quantities of cocaine and heroin, as well as items associated with drug trafficking. A loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered under a mattress in a bedroom in close proximity to where the drugs were located.

          “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 by continuing to target the drug trafficking organizations responsible for the importation of large quantities of these drugs into New Hampshire from source cities such as Lawrence, Massachusetts.” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said.

          Diaz Pena, who previously pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 36 months in prison on the drug trafficking charge and received a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years on the firearms charge, which must be served consecutively to the sentence on the drug charge. Diaz Pena will likely be deported from the United States after completing his federal sentence.

          Gonzalez Diaz, 34, formerly of Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge on August 17, 2016 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2017.

          The investigation was conducted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Tactical Diversion Unit, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the Rochester, New Hampshire Police Department and the Haverhill, MA Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Cole Davis and Seth Aframe are prosecuting the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that today Michael Younge, 27, formerly of Framingham and Boston, Massachusetts was sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for his role in an illegal effort to purchase two firearms.

          According to court documents and statements made during the prosecution of the case, on July 15, 2015, Younge, and three friends, Rafael Soriano, Adrian Aleman and Tasha Gardner, visited a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hooksett, New Hampshire. Of the four, only Gardner was legally eligible to buy handguns. Younge and Soriano, with Aleman’s help, solicited Gardner to buy two hand guns on their behalf. Gardner agreed to assist and attempted to purchase the two guns for Younge and Soriano. In connection with that attempt, Gardner filled out a form legally required for all intrastate over-the-counter hand gun purchases on which she falsely certified that she was the “actual purchaser” of the two hand guns, when she was really attempting to buy them for Younge and Soriano. The store never transferred the firearms because its employees became suspicious and declined to complete the transaction.

          Younge previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the making of a false statement in connection with the attempted acquisition of a firearm. After serving his sentence, he will be on supervised release for a period of three years.

          Two of the other individuals involved in the scheme, Gardner and Aleman, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to terms of probation. A warrant for Soriano’s arrest is outstanding.

           This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Manchester Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse.

          This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national initiative undertaken by the U.S. Department of Justice to reduce gun crime in America through, among other things, community outreach and vigorous prosecution of firearms offenses.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Kenneth Chapman (62), formerly of Kingston, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison for distributing fentanyl.

          According to documents that were filed in United States District Court and statements at the sentencing proceeding, on June 12, 2016, Chapman sold a quantity of fentanyl to “M.S.”, a 31-year old male from Atkinson, New Hampshire. Because of a 911 call the following morning, emergency personnel responded to a residence in Atkinson, where they found M.S. dead from a suspected drug overdose. In the immediate vicinity of the body, law enforcement officers found a tied-off plastic bag that contained a white powdery substance that was determined to be fentanyl. An autopsy determined M.S.’ death was caused by acute fentanyl intoxication.

          Chapman, who previously pleaded guilty, will be on supervised release for three years after serving his sentence.

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl is causing overdose deaths across the Granite State, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes 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.”

          “Fentanyl continues to be the cause of far too many deaths in the Granite State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who sell this deadly drug. The law enforcement cooperation after this overdose death demonstrates our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level to identify those who distribute deadly doses of drugs. While we support access to treatment for those who suffer from addiction, those who distribute these deadly drugs need to be held accountable for the substantial damage they are causing in our community.”

          This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Kingston and Atkinson Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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            CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Francisco Tamayo Noguera, 36, of Austin, Texas, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to commit credit and debit card fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a credit card fraud scheme.

            According to the testimony given during the trial, Noguera traveled from Austin, Texas, to New Hampshire on January 8, 2016 with Dairon Jimenez Roja and Elvis Barban Chavez. The three stayed at a motel in Nashua, New Hampshire and between January 9, 2016 and January 12, 2016, they visited Sam’s Club stores in Manchester, Hudson, Seekonk, Massachusetts and Worcester Massachusetts. While at the stores the conspirators purchased gift cards, usually in the amount of $200, with credit and debit card information of other individuals. The conspirators acquired the other individuals’ information from a skimming device that had been placed in a gas pump in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Once they obtained the information, the conspirators made clone cards that contained the debit and credit card information and used those clone cards to purchase the gift cards. The total estimated loss is approximately $29,000.

            The conspirators were captured after they fled the Hudson Sam’s Club on January 12, 2016. Store employees had noticed the fraudulent activity and called the Hudson Police Department. The individuals were arrested by the Tyngsborough Police Department on January 12, 2016 after a pursuit was initiated by the Hudson Police Department. At the time of the arrest, numerous cards and a skimming device were found in the vehicle.

            A sentencing hearing for the defendant is scheduled for October 3, 2017.

            Dairon Jimenez Roja and Elvis Barban Chavez previously pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to 24 months in prison.

            The case was investigated by the Hudson Police Department, the Londonderry Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Tyngsborough Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory. Numerous other departments and the staffs at various Sam’s Club stores assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Leeland Eisenberg, of Concord, New Hampshire, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for bank robbery and separately sentenced to five years of probation for possessing cocaine.

          Court filings and statements made in court established that Eisenberg robbed the Citizen’s Bank located at 875 Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire on August 2, 2016 at approximately noon. Eisenberg walked into the bank, approached the teller station and handed a teller a robbery note that stated “No alarms. No dye packs. I have a gun and I will shoot you and others if you put a dye pack in. Fill the bag with cash now.”

          A witness in the vicinity of the bank identified the robber as Eisenberg. The witness had known Eisenberg in the past and recognized Eisenberg as he left the bank. An image of the robber taken by the bank’s security system was distributed to law enforcement. Law enforcement officers familiar with Eisenberg also identified the robber as Eisenberg after reviewing the images.

          Eisenberg was arrested by two Manchester officers in the area of the Pine Street Cemetery at 6:42 p.m. on August 2, 2016. At the time of his arrest, Eisenberg had a small quantity cocaine in his possession.

          Eisenberg pleaded guilty to bank robbery and drug possession charges. After serving his prison sentence for bank robbery, he will be on supervised release for a period of three years. He also will be on probation for five years as a result of the drug possession conviction.

          Eisenberg was sentenced on the bank robbery charge on June 16, 2017. He was sentenced on the drug possession charge on June 21, 2017.

          The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Dale Edson, 30, of Swanzey, New Hampshire, was sentenced to serve 42 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          According to court documents and statements in court, law enforcement received information in July 2015 that potential child pornography images had been uploaded to a cloud storage service from a phone number associated with Edson. After establishing that the phone number was used by Edson, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Edson’s residence. On September 9, 2015, the police executed the warrant and, based on a preliminary forensic review conducted at the residence, seized three computers and other devices. A forensic examination of two laptop computers established that images of child pornography were found on each computer. An examination of a tablet used by Edson established that images of child pornography were found on the tablet.

          Edson pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in March. After he is released from prison, Edson will be on supervised release for five years.

          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.

          The case was investigated by the Hinsdale Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Swanzey Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Portsmouth Police Department, the Rochester Police Department, and the Interstate Crimes Against Children Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Jesse Dennis, 32, of Keene, New Hampshire was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possession of materials to manufacture methamphetamine and attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about January 13, 2016, the defendant was pulled over after committing various traffic infractions in Keene, New Hampshire. The defendant consented to a search of his vehicle where officers found various implements and ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine. The defendant admitted that he had attempted to manufacture methamphetamine on various occasions. After executing a search warrant for his vehicle, officers uncovered materials that a New Hampshire State police forensic laboratory chemist determined are collectively consistent with methamphetamine manufacturing via the one-pot method. The chemist also determined that samples taken from the vehicle indicated the presence of methamphetamine.

          Dennis, who previously pleaded guilty, will be on supervised release for three years after he serves his prison sentence.

          “Methamphetamine poses a serious threat to our community,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “While this drug is dangerous to those who ingest it, it can be particularly hazardous when it is manufactured in vehicles or homes. This unsafe practice can lead to fires and explosions and creates a frightening hazard to innocent individuals in the area. I commend the law enforcement officers in this case whose quick actions prevented a potential tragedy.”

          “This sentence reflects DEA’s strong commitment to bring to justice those that manufacture methamphetamine,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue anyone who manufactures this poison.”

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Keene, New Hampshire Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

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          CONCORD, N.H. - Daniel Quinn, 48, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was sentenced to serve 63 months in federal prison for armed bank robbery, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          According to court records and statements in court, shortly before noon on June 25, 2015, Quinn entered the St. Mary’s Bank in Hudson, New Hampshire wearing a black hat, a mask and gloves, and carrying a knife in his left hand while keeping a brown leather satchel over his left shoulder hanging by his waist on the right side in which it appeared he had a handgun. Quinn forced all of the patrons and employees, other than those behind the teller counters, to line up against a wall while he robbed one of the tellers using the knife. After getting the money from the teller, Quinn took one of the bank employees hostage in order to make his escape. Shortly after Quinn and the hostage left the bank the hostage was able to get away from Quinn and ran back into the bank, while Quinn ran in the opposite direction. Fortunately, the hostage was not physically harmed.

          The Hudson Police Department responded to the bank within minutes of the robbery. A police canine, which quickly picked up Quinn’s scent, led police to a residential neighborhood close to the bank where Quinn was found hiding in the side yard of a home. Quinn was taken into custody without incident and the leather satchel, which was found within a few feet of Quinn partially covered with leaves, was seized. Inside the satchel, the money from the robbery, the knife, the gloves, the mask and other things related to the robbery were recovered. A BB gun, was also found in the satchel.

          In imposing sentence today, United States District Judge Landya B. McCafferty told Mr. Quinn that his conduct at the bank that day was an act of terror.

          Quinn pleaded guilty on September 13, 2016. After serving his prison sentence, Quinn will be on supervised release for three years.

          This case was investigated by the FBI and the Hudson, NH Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Joseph Davis, 31, of Manchester, New Hampshire, has been sentenced to serve 50 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm.

          At a trial in March of 2017, evidence showed that shortly after midnight on July 2, 2016, police officers in Hampton, New Hampshire saw Davis driving a car in an erratic manner on Ocean Boulevard. Before the police could intervene, Davis abruptly stopped the car in front of the north bathhouse on Ocean Boulevard. While detained by the police, Davis removed a large scarf from around his neck and placed it over the area between the driver’s seat and the center console.

          After arresting Davis for driving under the influence, a police officer searched the car and found a HiPoint Model C9, 9mm, pistol tucked between the driver’s seat and the center console. The firearm was fully loaded. One bullet was in the chamber. The safety was in the off position.

          Davis was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was a convicted felon. He previously was convicted of first-degree assault and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.

          “Protecting public safety from violent criminals is a high priority of the United States Attorney’s Office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “When criminals have guns in their possession, it threatens the safety of our citizens and our communities. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this case.”

          The case was investigated by the Hampton Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Kinsella prosecuted the case.

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          CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Luis D. Capo-Nieves, 33, formerly of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

          According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, on July 1, 2016, the Nashua Police department dispatched several officers to the parking lot of a city apartment complex in response to a citizen complaint about drug dealing activity there. In the parking lot, the responding police officers observed Capo-Nieves engage in an exchange with another individual, Wilfredo Tanon Rodriguez, that appeared to be part of a drug transaction. After Capo-Nieves and Tanon Rodriguez left the parking lot in Capo-Nieves’s car, police stopped the car for a variety of motor vehicle violations. A police inspection of a bag the police saw in the car during the traffic stop revealed 279 grams of cocaine.

          Capo-Nieves, who pleaded guilty on February 28, 2017, will be on supervised release for three years after he serves his prison sentence. In addition, the Court directed that $2121 recovered from Capo-Nieves at the time of his arrest should be used to pay for his court-appointed defense attorney, instead of being returned to Capo-Nieves.

          On June 2, 2017, Tanon Rodriguez, a former Nashua resident, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his participation in the drug transaction.

          “Even as we continue to address the opioid epidemic, the law enforcement community remains committed to stopping the distribution of all illegal drugs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Thanks to good police work, over a quarter kilogram of cocaine has been removed from the streets of Nashua.”

          This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse prosecuted the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Dana Michelle Lawrence, 43, of Nashua has been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with fraudulent use of a social security number.

          According to court documents, in 2006, Lawrence was sentenced in a Rhode Island state court to a one-year period of incarceration followed by nine years of probation for a theft offense. Shortly after Lawrence completed the prison sentence, she absconded from supervision and a warrant was issued for her arrest. In November 2016, Lawrence, using the alias “Genevieve Kaplan,” began working as a volunteer for the City of Nashua, preparing grant applications. On May 7, 2017, the Nashua Police Department (NPD) and FBI were told that “Kaplan” tried to obtain routing numbers and account numbers for bank accounts that belonged to the City.

          While investigating the matter, the NPD and FBI obtained a copy of a lease application that “Kaplan” had used to rent an apartment in Nashua. On the application, “Kaplan” used a different first name, “Genna,” and a social security number assigned to another person. searching “Kaplan’s” Nashua apartment, the NPD and FBI found documents that contained different names, addresses, dates of births, and social security numbers.

          On May 11, Lawrence was arrested and charged in state court with Identity Fraud, a felony under state law.

          If convicted, Lawrence faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

          The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

          The investigation, which is ongoing, has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of Inspector General of the Social Security Administration, and the Nashua Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Kinsella and Anna Dronzek are prosecuting the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Joel A. Tetteh, 53, a citizen of Ghana and Canada, was sentenced to serve 29 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme in which he unlawfully purchased firearms in New Hampshire and smuggled them to Ghana.

          According to court documents and statements in court, Tetteh purchased a total of six handguns from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hooksett, New Hampshire on April 29, 2014, October 29, 2014, and May 6, 2015. In purchasing these handguns, Tetteh filled out a form in which he stated that he resided at a location in Merrimack, New Hampshire. A subsequent law enforcement investigation showed that this statement was false. At the time of the purchase, Tetteh was residing in Worcester, Massachusetts and never resided at the address in Merrimack. Under federal law, the firearms dealer could not have lawfully sold these firearms to the defendant because he was not a resident of New Hampshire.

          During a subsequent interview with law enforcement officers, Tetteh acknowledged that he had purchased the guns and shipped them to Ghana inside motor vehicles. He further admitted that in 2012 he had arranged for another person to purchase two additional firearms in New Hampshire, which also were sent to Ghana.

          The firearms that Tetteh purchased are defense articles that may not be exported without a license from the State Department. Tetteh did not have such a license.

          Tetteh previously pleaded guilty on September 9, 2016, to three counts of making material false statements during the acquisition of a firearm, three counts of making false statements during the purchase of a firearm, and three counts of smuggling goods from the United States

          “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes.” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “International gun smuggling is a serious crime that can lead to violent acts in other countries and undermine the stability of foreign governments. I commend the hard work of the law enforcement agents who investigated this significant case.”

          This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.

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          Concord, N.H.— Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Matthew Bergeron, formerly of Fitchburg, Massachusetts was sentenced to 78 months in prison for his role in the straw purchase of three firearms in New Hampshire.

          According to court records and statements in court, Bergeron arranged to have two co-conspirators purchase firearms on his behalf in June and July 2016 from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hooksett, New Hampshire. In connection with each firearm purchase, the co-conspirators were required to complete an ATF Form 4473 where they falsely stated that they were purchasing the firearms for themselves when they were actually purchasing the weapons for Bergeron. Bergeron also had each co-defendant purchase ammunition and extended clip magazines on his behalf. Shortly after the purchases, Bergeron took possession of the firearms, magazines and ammunition. Bergeron was a previously convicted felon and a resident of Massachusetts, and could not legally purchase the firearms for himself in New Hampshire.

          Bergeron, who pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges on March 2, 2017, will be placed on supervised release for three years after he completes his prison sentence.

          Bergeron’s co-conspirators, Rashawn Dunn, 30, and Jessica Fithian, 33, both of Manchester, also have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners in order to prevent violence and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “I commend the work of the law enforcement agencies in this case. Their hard work helps to keep our community safe.”

          This matter was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives 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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          CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Christopher Barker, 24, of Epsom, New Hampshire, was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 70 months in federal prison for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

          According to pleadings filed with the court and statements made at the sentencing hearing, Concord Police conducting an undercover operation arranged to purchase a firearm from Barker in March 2016. When Barker arrived at the deal, Concord Police arrested him, seizing two firearms from his vehicle. At the time, Barker was prohibited from possessing any firearms as a result of a previous felony conviction.

          Barker pleaded guilty to the charges on February 28, 2017. After being released from prison, he will be on supervised release for three years.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners in order to prevent violence and to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “I commend the work of the Concord Police and the other law enforcement agencies in this case. Their hard work helps to keep our community safe.”

          This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and by the Police Departments of Concord and Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Hartford, Vermont, as well as by the Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana Konesky and Shane Kelbley.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Eric Rouleau, 37, most recently of Somersworth, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for robbing a credit union and mailing threatening communications.

          According to pleadings filed with the court and statements made at today’s hearing, Rouleau robbed the Northeast Credit Union in Rochester on April 22, 2016 by entering the credit union and producing a note demanding money and saying no one would get hurt. After obtaining a sum of money, he left the bank on foot. Images of the robber were captured by the credit union’s surveillance system and distributed to the media. A short time later, Rouleau was positively identified as the robber.

          In a matter unrelated to the robbery and while incarcerated pending trial on the robbery charge, Rouleau sent through the United States mail a series of threatening letters to a former girlfriend. A restraining order prohibiting contact with the former girlfriend was in place when one of the letters was mailed.

          Rouleau pleaded guilty to the charges on March 3, 2017. After being released from prison, he will be on supervised release for three years. was also ordered to pay restitution to the credit union.

          The case was investigated by the Rochester Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Helen White Fitzgibbon and Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that four New Hampshire residents, including two alleged motorcycle club members, have been arrested and charged with drug trafficking crimes. One of the four men also has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

          According to allegations contained in the federal criminal complaints that were unsealed today:

• Alleged Hells Angel Motorcycle Club member James Cunningham, 60, of Laconia, New Hampshire, is charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

• Alleged Milford & Company Motorcycle Club President Harry Bolton, 63, of Weare, New Hampshire, is charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.

• Kenneth Bailey, 52, of Weare, New Hampshire, is charged with distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

• Timothy Raxter, 52, of Tilton, New Hampshire, is charged with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

          Each drug charge is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The maximum penalty for the firearms charge against Raxter is up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

          “Federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are united in our work to combat drug trafficking and violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Even as our state attempts to address the opioid crisis, we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the public from the distribution of other dangerous drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. I commend our law enforcement partners for their work in this investigation.”

          "The Hells Angels are one of the most notorious biker gangs in the United States and often use violence and intimidation to protect their 'turf' in support of their criminal activities,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “As alleged, this investigation revealed that a Hells Angel member engaged in the distribution of drugs in New Hampshire. In an effort to create safer neighborhoods for everyone, the FBI New Hampshire’s Safe Streets Task Force is fully committed to the identification and pursuit of illicit gang activities within the state, to crack down on illegal drug distribution networks, and deter associated violence.”

          A federal criminal complaint is only an allegation, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

          This ongoing investigation is being conducted 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. Assistance was provided by the Laconia and Tilton police departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Dairon Julio Jimenez Roja, 26, of Austin, Texas, was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with a credit card fraud scheme.

          According to court documents, Roja and others traveled from Austin, Texas to New Hampshire in late December 2015 and early January 2016. Once they arrived in New Hampshire, they began purchasing gift cards at various retail stores in the area, including the Sam’s Club store in Hudson, New Hampshire. The group obtained credit card information for various individuals, including numerous New Hampshire residents, by downloading the information from a skimmer that was hidden in a gas pump at a store in Londonderry, New Hampshire. After downloading the information, the group used it to make counterfeit credit cards that were used at the self-checkout counters at retail stores to purchase gift cards in the amount of $200. The total estimated loss is approximately $29,000.

          On January 12, 2016, the Hudson Police Department were notified that the group was in the store purchasing gift cards. The police responded to the store and pursued the group into Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, where they were arrested by the Tyngsborough Police. Numerous cards and a skimming device were found in the vehicle.

          The case was investigated by the Hudson Police Department, the Londonderry Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Tyngsborough Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory. Numerous other departments and the staffs at various Sam’s Club stores assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Justin Gauthier, 39, formerly of Northfield, New Hampshire, has been indicted on charges that he unlawfully possessed methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil with the intent to distribute those controlled substances and for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

          According to the indictment, on August 5, 2016, Gauthier unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The indictment also charges that on March 16, 2017, Gauthier possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. Gauthier is further charged in the indictment with possession of seven firearms in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

          Gauthier is scheduled for an arraignment in federal court at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017.

          Gauthier faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years on the drug trafficking charges and a mandatory minimum five- year sentence for the firearms, which must be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the drug charges.

          “The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals engaged in drug trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Our state already has experienced far too many deaths as a result of drug overdoses. The recent presence of carfentanil - a drug that the DEA has stated is a hundred times more powerful than fentanyl - has the potential to result in an even greater number of overdose deaths here in New Hampshire. It presents an unprecedented public safety concern for law enforcement and first responders. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing these dangerous drugs in our state.”

          "ATF will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts, to vigorously combat drug traffickers and the threat they pose to our citizens by illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of their illegal drug trade", said Lawrence J. Panetta; Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.

          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.

          Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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            CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE –Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Jonathan Cruz-Marte, age 34, formerly of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced on Friday to serve 55 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute over a kilogram of heroin.

            After a lengthy investigation, law enforcement officers determined that from late 2014 through March 2015, Cruz-Marte, a member of a Lawrence, Massachusetts-based heroin trafficking organization, conspired to supply a heroin distributor in Keene with multiple kilograms of heroin for distribution in Keene and the surrounding towns. Law enforcement officers arrested Cruz-Marte on March 12, 2015, after Cruz-Marte delivered two kilograms of heroin to an individual in Salem, New Hampshire.

            Cruz-Marte pleaded guilty on November 23, 2016.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address the opioid crisis in New Hampshire by continuing to identify and target drug traffickers who are responsible for the distribution of large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in New Hampshire. We will continue to work each day to identify and prosecute drug traffickers who seek to profit from selling these drugs that are killing our citizens and damaging the fabric of our communities,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said.

            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 investigation was conducted by the: (1) United States Attorney’s Office; (2) Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; (3) New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force; (4) New Hampshire State Police; (5) Keene, New Hampshire Police Department; and (6) Massachusetts State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Dieuny Pasius, 26, an inmate at FCI-Berlin pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to possess a prohibited object within a federal prison. Pasius admitted the prohibited object he was attempting to possess was Alpha-PVP, known by the street name Flakka, a synthetic cathinone that is a Schedule I controlled substance. Synthetic cathinone is commonly referred to as bath salts.

          According to documents filed with the court and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Pasius placed a letter in the institution mailbox at FCI-Berlin on January 14, 2017. The letter was reviewed by a staff member at the prison who noticed that certain words were emphasized. The staff members then placed the words in the order they appeared in the letter and a coded message was revealed. That coded message directed the letter’s intended recipient to obtain a quantity of Flakka and sent it to Pasius through covert means.

          A sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2017. According to federal law, any sentence imposed in connection with this charge must be served consecutively to any sentence currently be served by Pasius.

          The Bureau of Prisons led the investigation of this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Donald Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Juan Rojas, 32, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his participation in two conspiracies: (1) a conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, oxycodone and cocaine and (2) a conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

          According to court documents and statements in court, Rojas and others participated in the distribution of cocaine and oxycodone pills in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. During a court-authorized wiretap investigation, law enforcement officers intercepted calls in which Rojas obtained quantities of oxycodone and cocaine, which he then supplied to others, including Franklyn and Mara Morillo. The Morillos then arranged to distribute the drugs to multiple customers. Rojas was arrested on August 18, 2015. Law enforcement officers found approximately 110 grams of cocaine in the vehicle he was operating.

          During the wiretap investigation, officers also intercepted calls indicating that Rojas and another individual (Oscar Rosario) were planning to rob a drug dealer. Intercepted calls showed that Rosario traveled from New Hampshire to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he obtained a firearm from Rojas. A law enforcement officer later stopped Rosario and recovered the firearm before it could be used to commit the robbery.

          Rojas pleaded guilty to these crimes on January 5, 2017. After his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for three years.

          Rojas is one of six individuals convicted for participating in this drug trafficking conspiracy. Mara Morillo, 41, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to seven years in prison; Franklyn Morillo, 42, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to 14 years in prison; Jorge Medina, 25, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to two years in prison; Justin Bartimus, 36, formerly of Methuen, Massachusetts was sentenced to 18 months in prison; and Michael Lally, 28, of Salem, New Hampshire is a awaiting sentencing.

          Rojas and Rosario were charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Rosario previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison.

          “This is another example of the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing opioids and other drugs,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “The road to heroin or fentanyl addiction often begins with the misuse of oxycodone pills. This case was an example of excellent law enforcement cooperation that put an end to a substantial drug trafficking operation that was profiting from the sale of these dangerous pills. Thanks to the hard work of multiple law enforcement agencies, these drug traffickers will no longer be jeopardizing the safety of our community.”

          "The DEA is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who illicitly distribute oxycodone,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Opiate abuse is a major problem in New Hampshire and throughout New England. The diversion of prescription pain killers, in this case oxycodone, contributes to the widespread abuse of opiates, is the gateway to heroin and fentanyl addiction, and is devastating our communities. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue any group or individual that traffics these drugs.”

          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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad led the investigation with assistance from the Haverhill, Massachusetts Police Department, the Methuen, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police. It was prosecuted by Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.

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            CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced yesterday that Wilfredo Tanon Rodriguez, 54, formerly of Nashua, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute more than a quarter kilogram of cocaine.

            According to court documents and statements made during earlier court proceedings, on July 1, 2016, the Nashua Police Department dispatched several officers to the parking lot of a city apartment complex. The officers were dispatched to that location in response to a citizen complaint about drug dealing activity there. After conducting surveillance, police later conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Tanon Rodriguez was riding in the front passenger seat.

            Tanon Rodriguez consented to a police inspection of a bag at his feet as well as a container found inside the bag. Inside the container, the police found approximately 279 grams of cocaine. After his arrest, Tanon Rodriguez admitted that, at the time of the traffic stop, he had been delivering the cocaine to a third party and that he had engaged in a similar transaction once before. Two firearms were found in a car belonging to Tanon Rodriguez, which was parked in the apartment complex that was the subject of the original police surveillance.

            After serving the 30-month prison sentence, Tanon Rodriguez will serve three years of supervised release.

            Luis D. Capo-Nieves -- the driver of the car – will be sentenced on a related charge on June 12, 2017. Capo-Nieves is also a former resident of Nashua.

            This matter was investigated by the Nashua Police Department. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced yesterday that Patrick J. Brooks, II, 37, formerly of Boscawen, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for possession of oxycodone with the intent to distribute.

            According to court documents and statements made during earlier court proceedings, in June and July 2016, a Concord, New Hampshire, undercover officer made a series of purchases of oxycodone from an individual who, during those transactions, told the undercover detective that Brooks had been selling oxycodone to her for eleven years. On July 20, 2016, police officers executed a search warrant on Brooks’ Boscawen home. The execution of the warrant yielded nearly 2,000 30-milligram oxycodone pills and approximately $20,000 in cash. The cash recovered from Brooks’ home included currency that the undercover detective had used to buy oxycodone in one of the undercover transactions.

            After completing his prison term, Brooks will be on supervised release for three years. The cash and other drug proceeds are the subjects of a pending state forfeiture proceeding.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing opioids,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “All too often, the road to heroin or fentanyl addiction begins with the misuse of oxycodone pills. Those who profit from the illicit sales of these pills are contributing to the opioid crisis in the Granite State. We will continue to devote our efforts to putting drug distributors out of business. I commend the efforts of the law enforcement officers in this case for their success in dismantling this significant drug distribution operation.”

            This matter was investigated by the Concord and Boscawen police departments. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Anthony Barth, 25, of Derry, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to two counts of distributing fentanyl and one count of possessing with intent to distribute 400 or more grams of fentanyl.

            According to statements made in court, Barth sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on two occasions in July and August of 2016. On August 17, 2016, the confidential informant placed an order for 50 “fingers” or approximately 500 grams of fentanyl. The defendant arrived at the predetermined meeting location in Derry, New Hampshire where officers attempted to arrest him. Barth tried to flee, hitting a police car and eventually abandoning his own vehicle behind a nearby business. He ran into a wooded area where he attempted to discard the drugs but was apprehended shortly thereafter. Officers searched the wooded area and found the drugs, which lab results confirmed contained approximately 490 grams of fentanyl.

            A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for September 14, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the United States District Court. The defendant faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is dedicated to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to arrest and prosecute individuals who are distributing deadly drugs like fentanyl,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “While the law enforcement community recognizes that those who suffer from addiction require treatment, those who profit from the sale of these deadly products are damaging the fabric of our communities. This case is another example of our continuing efforts to stop the distribution of illegal opioids into our state.”

            “The state of New Hampshire is faced with a fentanyl and heroin crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Those suffering from fentanyl and heroin addiction need treatment and recovery, but those that distribute and profit from spreading this misery need to be held accountable. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively seek and bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”

            This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester and Derry Police Departments. It is being prosecuted by AUSA Georgiana L. Konesky.

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            CONCORD, N.H. – John J. Farley, Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire, announced that Jeffrey Lamarche, 39, of Ossipee, was sentenced to serve eight years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

            According to court documents and statements in court, on May 24, 2016, Lamarche was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by a New Hampshire State Police trooper. After making various observations about Lamarche, the trooper asked if he would consent to a search. Lamarche consented. When the trooper asked the defendant to squat and stand up, seven cellophane packages fell from his right pant leg. Lab results later confirmed that the packages contained 44.6 grams of fentanyl and 5.8 grams of cocaine.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with all of our law enforcement partners to stop the distribution of fentanyl,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “Those who choose to sell dangerous substances are jeopardizing the lives of the people in our communities. While people suffering from addiction need treatment, we will continue to target and prosecuted individuals involved in drug trafficking.”

            The case was investigated by the New Hampshire State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana L. Konesky.

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CONCORD, N.H. - Latavia Hassan, 33, of Mastic, New York, and Chantel Lightner, 26, of Wyandanch, New York, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use counterfeit credit cards, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          During separate hearings in federal court yesterday, Hassan and Lightner admitted that on 24 separate occasions they used counterfeit credit cards to fraudulently acquire gift cards and other merchandise totaling more than $18,000 from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods stores in Nashua, Bedford, Londonderry, Manchester, and Concord on April 16, 2017.

          Members of the Concord Police Department recovered the counterfeit credit cards and stolen gift cards and merchandise after Hassan and Lightner attempted to buy gift cards from a store in Concord.

          Hassan and Lightner will be sentenced on September 14, 2017.

          The Concord Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Robert M. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Gladys Maria Pena Dominguez, 35, was sentenced on Monday to serve 54 months in federal prison for her role in a scheme to use stolen personal identifying information to file false federal income tax returns and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the U.S. Treasury.

          According to statements made during the proceedings, from January 2012 to December 2013, Pena couriered approximately 161 U.S. Treasury tax refund checks from New York, N.Y., to Kenneth Feliz, a co-conspirator in New Hampshire, who gave Pena cash in return. As Pena knew, the checks had been obtained from the Internal Revenue Service by co-conspirators who induced the IRS to issue the checks based upon false tax returns that the co-conspirators had filed using the names and Social Security numbers of real people without their consent or knowledge. The co-conspirators also reported false mailing addresses on the tax returns to cause the IRS to mail the fraudulently derived Treasury tax refund checks to locations that they controlled. The aggregate face value of the checks was approximately $1.1 million.

          Pena is a resident of the Bronx, N.Y., and a former resident of Nashua, N.H. Pena had previously pleaded guilty to the federal crimes of theft of government property, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy.

          After completing her prison sentence, Pena will serve three years of supervised release. She also must pay $1,095,879.44 in restitution to the IRS.

          Feliz is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10, 2017.

          This matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation unit, principally by its Manchester, N.H., field office, with assistance from its field office in New York, N.Y. and its Fraud Detection Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse prosecuted the case.

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            CONCORD, N.H. - Mustafa Hasan Arif, 37, an individual with dual citizenship in Pakistan and the United Kingdom, was sentenced to serve six years in federal prison for his role in an extensive international wire fraud scheme, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements in court proceedings, Arif defrauded individuals all around the world by selling drugs that he claimed would cure many serious diseases. While in Lahore, Pakistan, Arif created, maintained, and controlled over 1,500 websites that promoted the sale of the drugs. The websites claimed that the drugs would cure and treat hundreds of diseases, many of which were incurable, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and emphysema. The websites included falsified cure rates, false clinical research, and fabricated testimonials. One series of websites fraudulently claimed that Arif’s products had shown a 90 percent cure rate in clinical trials. Other websites included links to clinical research that had not been written about the drugs on the websites, but which suggested that clinical research had been performed on the products Arif was distributing. In an effort to make customers comfortable about the products, Arif also falsely represented that the drugs were being sold by entities in Germany, Norway, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and Denmark when in fact the drugs were all being sold and shipped from Pakistan. Documents in the case show that Arif ‘s scheme generated more than $12.8 million in fraudulent sales to more than 100,000 victims.

            Arif initially was arrested after he flew into New York in February 2014 on a business trip. He appeared in federal court in New York and later was transported to New Hampshire, where he has remained in custody. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud on October 11, 2016.

            “The defendant’s conduct was reprehensible,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “He preyed on vulnerable individuals who were seeking to find cures for illnesses that often had no known cure. His scheme not only defrauded his victims financially but also victimized them emotionally by raising false hopes that his products could treat their serious medical conditions. Rather than providing his sick customers with remedies for their illnesses, he only caused more pain. I commend the law enforcement officers who put an end to this dangerous and heartless scheme.”

            “Criminals who deceive U.S. consumers with false information and false claims about drugs can adversely affect the public’s health,” said Jeffrey J. Ebersole, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations’ New York Field Office. “Our office will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who take advantage of consumers in their quest for profits.”

            This investigation was led by the FDA/Office of Criminal Investigations, Cybercrime Investigations Unit along with Homeland Security Investigations. Assistance during the investigation was provided by the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, Portsmouth New Hampshire Police Department, the United States Consulate, Diplomatic Security Service Lagos, Nigeria office, New Zealand Ministry of Health, United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and the Department of Justice, Office of International Affairs. The investigation was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold H. Huftalen and Sarah Hawkins of the FDA/Office of Chief Counsel.

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          CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Robert Rosploch, 34, formerly of Leicester, Vermont, pleaded guilty today to escape from federal custody.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 16, 2016, Rosploch escaped from a halfway house in Manchester, New Hampshire, by climbing out of a first-floor window. Within hours, Deputy U.S. Marshals located Rosploch on the streets of downtown Manchester, and took him into custody without incident. At the time of his escape, Rosploch was serving a sentence for a previous conviction in Vermont federal court for conspiring to distribute cocaine.

          Rosploch is scheduled to be sentenced on August 24, 2017.

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service, and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.

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          CONCORD, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Isaiah Johnson, 37, of Dover, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 20, 2016, Dover Police pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation. Johnson was a passenger in the vehicle. During the traffic stop, Johnson was found to have a loaded ammunition clip in his pocket. As a previously-convicted felon, Johnson is prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms.

          Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on September 6, 2017.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat gun-related violence. Keeping firearms and ammunition out of the hands of convicted criminals helps to keep our communities safe. I commend the work of law enforcement officers in this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.

          This matter was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Dover Police Department. The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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 B. Kelbley.

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          CONCORD, N.H.:  Allan Yianakopolos, 49, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to serve 54 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

          According to court records, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Manchester residence of Yianakopolos in February of 2016. Among the items seized was a cellular telephone that contained hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.

          Yianakopolos pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on January 26, 2017. After serving his54-month prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for ten years.

          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.

          The case was investigated by the New Hampshire Crimes Against Children Task Force in conjunction Homeland Security Investigations Manchester, and the police departments of Manchester and Bedford, New Hampshire. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Georgiana Konesky.

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          CONCORD – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Dennis Higgins (23), formerly of Hudson, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to unlawful distribution of fentanyl.

          According to court documents and statements in the court proceeding, on February 15, 2016, Higgins sold a quantity of fentanyl to “M.W.”, a 22-year old female from Kittery, Maine. Because of a 911 call the following morning, emergency personnel responded to M.W.’s residence in Kittery, where they found M.W. dead from a suspected drug overdose. In the immediate vicinity of the body, law enforcement officers found needles and a plastic bag that contained a white powdery substance that was determined to be fentanyl. An autopsy determined M.S.’ death was caused by acute fentanyl intoxication.

          Higgins is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2017. The plea agreement contains a binding stipulation that the parties agree to recommend to the Court that Higgins be sentenced within a range of 120 months to 144 months of imprisonment; however, the Court deferred acceptance of the stipulation until the time of sentencing.

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl is causing overdose deaths across the Granite State, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes 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.”

          Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley said, “Fentanyl continues to be the cause of far too many deaths in the Granite State and throughout New England. The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals engaged in fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local, state. and federal level. While we support access to treatment for those who suffer from addiction, those who distribute these deadly drugs need to be held accountable for the substantial damage they are causing in our community.”

          This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Kittery, Maine and Merrimack, New Hampshire Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Rahshim Carter, an inmate at the federal prison in Berlin, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to possessing Suboxone and a homemade weapon known as a shank.

          Pleadings filed with the court and statements made at the change of plea hearing established that staff at FCI-Berlin were conducting a health and sanitation check at the prison on November 24, 2016. When they opened Carter’s cell the staff smelled smoke. Carter exited his cell and immediately tried to evade the prison staff by running around the second tier of the unit and jumping to the first tier. Prison staff eventually subdued Carter and a search found the homemade weapon and a quantity of Suboxone, which is a controlled substance.

          A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 22, 2017.

          The case was investigated by the staff at the Bureau of Prisons, FCI-Berlin. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Feith.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that John Shelley, 34, of Highland, Utah was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possessing child pornography.

          Information set forth in pleadings filed with the court showed that the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant in October 2014 that resulted in the seizure of two computers from Shelley’s residence and his vehicle. A forensic analysis of the computers revealed that Shelley possessed images of child pornography. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children confirmed that the images possessed by Shelley included 61 images and one video of known minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

          Shelley previously pleaded guilty. After completing his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for a period of ten years.

          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.

          The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Litchfield Police Department all participated in and contributed to the investigation. The case was prosecuted by AUSA Helen Fitzgibbon.

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          CONCORD, N.H.– Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Bryan Franklin (41), formerly of Penacook, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

          According to court documents and statements in the court proceeding, on September 24, 2016, the Tilton, New Hampshire Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Franklin that was found to contain multiple needles, cut plastic baggies, and other items associated with drug use. A subsequent search of another vehicle owned by Franklin resulted in the seizure of a lock box that contained approximately $15,958 cash, approximately 750 grams of fentanyl, assorted prescription pills, a quantity of methamphetamine, a thumb drive, and two digital scales. Additionally, a backpack in the vehicle contained a tin box that contained an additional quantity of fentanyl, a drug ledger, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported to law enforcement as stolen.

          Franklin is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2017. Franklin faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years on the drug trafficking charge and a mandatory minimum five year sentence for the firearm, which must be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed for the drug charge.

          “The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals engaged in fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As New Hampshire continues to face an unprecedented number of overdose deaths directly caused by opioid use, we will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing these dangerous drugs in our state. Most drug deaths in New Hampshire are associated with fentanyl use. The quick-thinking law enforcement officers who seized this large quantity of fentanyl and prevented it from being distributed may have saved several lives.”

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl is causing overdose deaths across the Granite State in record numbers, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursuing anyone who distributes 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 case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tilton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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          CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE –Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Ryan Williams, age 31, formerly of Keene, New Hampshire was sentenced to serve seven years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute over a kilogram of heroin.

          After a lengthy investigation, law enforcement officers determined that over the course of several years, Williams conspired to distribute over nine kilograms of heroin to numerous individuals in the Keene, New Hampshire area and that Williams obtained the heroin from co-conspirators in Lawrence, Massachusetts. On March 29, 2015, when law enforcement arrested Williams during a traffic stop, he had over half a kilogram of heroin in his possession. Subsequently, while on pretrial release on state charges, Williams was arrested on July 21, 2015 after he failed to appear for a court proceeding. Law enforcement officers located Williams at a residence in Keene where police seized a digital scale, cash, and 5.5 grams of fentanyl.

          Williams was indicted in federal court on August 6, 2015. He pleaded guilty to the charge on August 3, 2016.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address the opioid crisis in New Hampshire by continuing to identify and target drug traffickers who are responsible for the distribution of large quantities of heroin and fentanyl in New Hampshire. We will continue to work each day to identify and prosecute drug traffickers who seek to profit from selling these drugs that are killing our citizens and damaging the fabric of our communities,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said.

          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 investigation was conducted by the: (1) United States Attorney’s Office; (2) Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; (3) New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force; (4) New Hampshire State Police; (5) Keene, New Hampshire Police Department; and (6) Massachusetts State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Elvis Barban Chavez, 45, of Austin, Texas, was sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to aggravated identity theft in connection with a credit card fraud scheme.

          According to documents that were filed in the United States District Court, Chavez and others traveled from Austin, Texas to New Hampshire in late December 2015 and early January 2016. Once they arrived in New Hampshire, they began purchasing gift cards at various retail stores in the area, including the Sam’s Club store in Hudson, New Hampshire. The group obtained the credit card information for various individuals, including numerous New Hampshire residents, by downloading the information from a skimmer that was hidden in a gas pump at a store in Londonderry, New Hampshire. After downloading the information, the group used it at the self-checkout counters at the retail stores to purchase gift cards in the amount of $200. The total estimated loss is approximately $29,000.

          On January 12, 2016, the Hudson Police Department were notified that the group was in the store purchasing gift cards. The police responded to the store and pursued the group into Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, where they were arrested by the Tyngsborough Police. Numerous cards and a skimming device were found in the vehicle.

          The case was investigated by the Hudson Police Department, the Londonderry Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Tyngsborough Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory. Numerous other departments and the staffs at various Sam’s Club stores assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald A. Feith.

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          Concord, N.H. - Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced that Christian Cherry, 33, previously of Manchester, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of firearm.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, members of Manchester Police Department responded to a 911 call on August 13, 2016, regarding a reported domestic dispute. Upon arrival, they encountered Cherry in his vehicle in the parking lot of the residence, and his then-girlfriend inside the apartment. Once in the apartment, officers observed visible signs of a struggle, and witnesses reported the presence of a firearm. Officers ultimately obtained a search warrant for the residence and recovered two Smith & Wesson handguns in a bedroom belonging to the defendant. One of the firearms had been reported stolen to Manchester Police in June 2016. Cherry was prohibited from possessing any firearm as a result of at least one prior felony conviction.

          Cherry was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 19, 2016. He has been in custody since his arrest on November 17, 2016.

          Cherry is scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, 2017.

          This matter was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives 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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CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley today announced that Jeremiah S. Loui, 31, of Dover, New Hampshire was fined $1000 for the illegal possession of birds of prey protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and other federal laws.

          According to court documents and statements made during prior proceedings in the case, Loui bought and resold a taxidermied Accipiter gentilis, commonly known as a Northern Goshawk, on the Internet. He also sold or possessed 14 other taxidermied birds of prey protected under either the MBTA or a similar wildlife statute, the Wild Bird Conservation Act. Finally, Loui made false statements to a law enforcement officer investigating his offenses.

          Birds of prey, including the Northern Goshawk, play an important role in ecosystems here in the United States and across the globe. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat illegal conduct that promotes the taking of -- or trafficking in -- protected wildlife.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley.

          Loui previously pleaded guilty to violating the MBTA. As part of a plea agreement, Loui agreed to forfeit any interest he has in any of the fifteen protected birds.

          This matter was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with valuable support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorney Bill Morse prosecuted the case.

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          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Franklyn Morillo, 42, of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and cocaine.

          According to court documents and statements in court, Morillo and others worked together to distribute oxycodone pills and cocaine in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The prosecution of Morillo and his associates was the result of a lengthy investigation that included purchases of drugs by cooperating individuals, surveillance, wiretaps, and search warrants. The investigation showed that this group was responsible for the distribution of thousands of oxycodone pills and several kilograms of cocaine. Over $18,000 in cash and a quantity of cocaine were seized from Morillo’s residence in Haverhill during the execution of a search warrant in August of 2015. Morillo was arrested on October 1, 2015. A quantity of oxycodone pills and over $2,000 in cash were recovered from his residence at the time of his arrest.

          Morillo is one of six individuals indicted by a federal grand jury on September 23, 2015, and charged with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances. The other defendants are: Mara Morillo, 41, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Juan Rojas, 32, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; Justin Bartimus, 36, formerly of Methuen, Massachusetts; Jorge Medina, 25, of Haverhill, Massachusetts; and Michael Lally, 29, of Salem, New Hampshire. All of the defendants have pleaded guilty. Morillo pleaded guilty on October 28, 2017.

          “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who are responsible for distributing opioids,” Acting U.S. Attorney Farley said. “All too often, the road to heroin or fentanyl addiction begins with the misuse of oxycodone pills. Those who profit from the illicit sales of these pills are contributing to the opioid crisis in the Granite State. We will continue to devote our efforts to putting drug distributors out of business. I commend the efforts of the law enforcement officers in this case for their success in dismantling this drug distribution operation.”

          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 Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad led the investigation with assistance from the Haverhill, Massachusetts Police Department, the Methuen, Massachusetts Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police. It is being prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley.

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