District of New Hampshire
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lawrence Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for 42 Months for Distributing 25 Pounds of Methamphetamine via a RideshareRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lawrence, Massachusetts man was sentenced in federal court for trafficking methamphetamine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Narquin Sanchez-Unbes, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty, to 42 months in federal prison and one year of supervised release. On June 6, 2024, Mr. Sanchez-Unbes pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine.
“The defendant used a ride-share to transport an enormous quantity of methamphetamine into the state,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The sentence imposed today holds the defendant accountable for his brazen criminal conduct. The District of New Hampshire will continue to identify those who intend to traffic controlled substances to our state, investigate them, and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“DEA stands committed to keeping highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine off the streets of New Hampshire,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Sanchez-Unbes accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are contributing to the drug crisis in America. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
On July 10, 2023, an undercover agent attempted to purchase 25 pounds of methamphetamine from a suspected drug broker. The agreed-upon price was $2200 per pound, with a separate $3000 delivery fee, for a total cash price of $58,000. The delivery was made to the undercover agent by the defendant. Sanchez-Unbes was arrested shortly after arriving to the agreed upon location in Rochester via a ride share, while in possession of the 25 pounds of methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to Mr. Sanchez-Unbes’ conviction. The New Hampshire State Police also assisted with the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Strelzin prosecuted the case.
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Debra Kelly Agrees to Pay $200,000 to Resolve False Claims Act Violations in Connection with Post-9/11 GI Bill Education BenefitsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces that Debra Kelly agrees to pay $200,000 to resolve allegations that she violated the False Claims Act by misrepresenting lawn care classes held by Natural Technologies, Inc. d/b/a NTI Organic Lawn Care Institute (“NTI”), to obtain Post-9/11 GI Bill reimbursements from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for their veteran students.
“The Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance benefits are part of our promise to the brave women and men who have served our country,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This case is indicative of the District of New Hampshire’s continuing commitment to root out fraud involving government programs and to help safeguard the integrity of VA programs intended for the advancement and benefit of veterans.”
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is a VA educational benefit program for veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. As part of that program, the VA provides tuition and fee payments directly to qualifying schools on behalf of eligible veterans. In order for a school to qualify for the program, it is required to certify to the VA that no more than 85% of the students for any particular course are receiving VA benefits. This requirement, commonly referred to as the “85-15% Rule,” is intended to prevent abuse of Post-9/11 GI Bill funding by ensuring that the VA is paying fair market value tuition rates. In addition, a school may not charge more for veterans to attend a course than it charges civilians to attend the same course. Schools that receive Post-9/11 GI Bill funding are required to certify their continued compliance with this rule and notify the VA in the event they are no longer in compliance.
As Vice President and the certifying official for NTI on VA forms, Kelly certified more than $1.2 million in GI Bill benefits from 2018-2019. Starting in at least 2018, NTI filled its classes with more than 85% veterans in violation of the “85-15 Rule.” It also charged non-veterans discounted tuition rates. Kelly certified compliance with the 85-15 ratio requirement in the student enrollment certification, which she submitted alongside claims for tuition payments for each veteran student receiving VA benefits.
During NTI’s participation in the VA benefits program, the VA conducted compliance reviews of the school. Kelly concealed NTI’s violations of the 85-15 Rule in these surveys, including the fact that NTI charged non-veterans reduced tuition. During these reviews, she provided false information to mislead VA auditors.
The VA-OIG led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz handled the case.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for the Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, Machineguns and Homemade SilencersRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Jaffrey man was sentenced yesterday in federal court for firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Luke Czekalski, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 40 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On June 3, 2024, Czekalski pleaded guilty to possession of firearms which were not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
“The defendant lost his right to possess firearms when he was convicted of a prior felony. Undeterred, he possessed an arsenal in his basement which included firearms, ammunition, and loaded magazines. The National Firearm Act has additional specific prohibitions regarding the possession of machine guns and silencers, which the defendant also had in his residence,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Law enforcement in the District of New Hampshire will continue to use all resources available to remove illegal weapons from the streets and out of the hands of felons.”
"Illegally possessed firearms continue to pose significant challenges for law enforcement, especially with the growing threat of firearms illegally modified for fully automatic fire," said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. "Through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to identifying, targeting, and removing these illegal weapons to enhance the safety of our communities and protect the public."
In November 2022, New Hampshire state parole officers conducted an unannounced visit at the defendant’s residence in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The defendant was on parole following his release from custody for a prior felony conviction. While the parole officers conducted their search, they encountered several bins in the basement that contained firearms, ammunition, loaded magazines, as well as body armor and other miscellaneous items. Members of the Jaffrey Police Department then provided additional assistance, leading to the seizure of eight homemade firearms and five homemade silencers in addition to assorted ammunition. After testing, three of the firearms displayed fully automatic firing capabilities during test fires, thus making them “machineguns” under federal law.
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives and the Jaffrey Police Department led the investigation. The New Hampshire Department of Corrections’ Division of Field Services and New Hampshire Forensic Laboratory provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.
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Raymond Man Charged for Threatening Employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in ManchesterRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Raymond man was charged by complaint and arrested this morning for communicating a threat to kill or harm employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Paul Gangi, 45, was charged with one count of threatening to assault, kidnap or murder federal employees with intent to retaliate on account of the performance of official duties. He appeared in federal court today, September 23, 2024, and is scheduled to appear again tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. for preliminary and detention hearings.
According to the charging documents, on September 5, 2024, an employee of the VHA reported to law enforcement that Gangi, a carpenter at the VA, threatened two supervisory VHA employees by stating, “If they keep harassing me, I am going to come in and pop these guys.”
The charge provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General led the investigation. The Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Nashua Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man was sentenced today in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Dwayne Frechette, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 41 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. Frechette was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution. On May 31, 2024, Frechette pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.
Frechette was identified during an undercover investigation involving a peer-to-peer network used to exchange CSAM. During the investigation, agents identified an IP address in Nashua that was using the peer-to-peer network to make images of CSAM available for others to download. The target IP address geolocated to a restaurant in Nashua, where it was later determined that Frechette was a delivery driver. A search warrant for the restaurant resulted in the seizure of Frechette’s cell phone, which was found to contain hundreds of cached images of CSAM.
“The daily horror felt by child survivors of online child exploitation is unimaginable,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “While we will never be able to erase all of the illegal images circulating online, or the pain caused by crimes like the defendant’s, law enforcement in New Hampshire will continue to combat the spread of child sexual abuse material and protect these survivors from further harm as best as we can.”
“Every time a video or image of CSAM is shared, the harm and trauma inflicted upon a child spreads. These cases are extremely difficult, but HSI is committed to working with our partners to protect children and ensure predators like Frechette are brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Manchester Men Charged with Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Three Manchester men were charged in connection with controlled substances violations, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Raynerson Marcos De La Paz Matos, 29, Randy Gabriel De La Paz Matos, 25, and Edwin Manuel Saldana, 27, were each charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants were arrested on September 11, 2024, and appeared in federal court in Concord on the same date. The defendants are currently detained.
According to the charging documents and statements made in court, the underlying investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Manchester Police Department involved a series of 10 controlled purchases of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine, in different locations in Manchester, New Hampshire. These purchases resulted in the total seizure of approximately 450 grams of fentanyl, 59 grams of cocaine, and 27 grams of crack cocaine. As a result of these purchases, DEA and Manchester police obtained and executed federal search warrants at two residences on Cilley Road and Dubuque Street in Manchester. The search of the Cilley Road residence yielded a total of more than 2 kilograms of suspected controlled substances and cash, while the search of the Dubuque Street residence yielded an estimated $59,000.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Lowell Man Charged for Directing the Robbery of a Letter Carrier in Nashua on April 16, 2024Read the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lowell, Massachusetts man was charged by complaint and arrested this morning for his role in the April 16, 2024 robbery of a United States Postal Service letter carrier in Nashua, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Tyler Savinon, 18, was charged with aiding, abetting, counseling, commanding, inducing, and procuring the robbery of property of the United States. Savinon will appear in federal court in Concord today at 3:30pm.
According to the charging documents, Savinon directed two co-conspirators, including one juvenile, to rob the mail carrier in order to obtain a proprietary key that would unlock blue mail collection boxes in the Nashua area. Investigators obtained valuable information, pictures, and video from concerned residents, which helped to identify the robbers, and eventually led investigators to Savinon. Investigators determined that Savinon had used the stolen key to access at least two collection boxes in Nashua—one on Dunstable Road and one on Spring Street. Some of the stolen mail was used in financial crimes, such as “check washing.”
The charge provides for a sentence of up to ten years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Nashua, New Hampshire Police Department and the Lowell, Massachusetts Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarad E. Hodes is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Charter School Founder Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $73,000 from Former School in ConcordRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Boscawen woman pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing over $73,000 in U.S. Department of Education funds from the former Capital City Public Charter School in Concord, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.
Stephanie Alicea, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a program receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2025.
Alicea was the founder of the Capital City Public Charter School (“Capital City”) in Concord, New Hampshire. Capital City offered classes to several dozen students during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. Alicea oversaw the school’s finances and day-to-day operations. Capital City received federal charter school grant funds, which were to be used solely for education-related expenses.
In spring 2020, an external auditor detected irregularities with Capital City’s finances. Specifically, the auditor found that Alicea had spent some of the grant funds on expenses that were personal in nature, including gambling, dining, and travel. In total, Alicea stole $73,253.36 in federal grant funds from Capital City.
Capital City closed after the 2019-20 school year, surrendered its charter in February 2021, and declared bankruptcy in March 2021.
The charge of Theft from a Program Receiving Federal Funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Former Office Manager of the Dartmouth Student Newspaper Sentenced to 15 Months in Federal Prison for Stealing over $223,000 from the NewspaperRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Springfield, Vermont woman was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for stealing $223,372.51 from The Dartmouth (“The D”), which is the student newspaper at Dartmouth College, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Nicole Chambers, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On April 30, 2024, Chambers pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
“The Dartmouth, a non-profit student newspaper, entrusted the defendant with their finances, and she betrayed that trust by embezzling more than $223,000 over the course of four-and-a-half years,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “This was a crime motivated by the defendant’s greed, plain and simple. The defendant stole to fund her high lifestyle, including trips across the United States and Caribbean and purchasing luxury items. The consequence of crimes like this is federal prison.”
“Fraud is never the ticket to lasting financial gain, as Nicole Chambers has now discovered,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Over the course of four years, Ms. Chambers stole and squandered almost a quarter-million dollars from the non-profit newspaper she worked for so she could live well above her means. Justice demands that financial fraudsters like her be held accountable for their crimes and today’s sentencing ensures that.”
The D is the lead student newspaper at Dartmouth College and is a nonprofit run by student volunteers. Between 2012 and 2021, Chambers was the office manager for The D. In her role, Chambers had full access to The D’s finances, including its bank account, PayPal and Venmo accounts, and debit card. Between April 2017 and September 2021, Chambers stole money from The D. She primarily used her access to The D’s PayPal accounts to make unauthorized transfers to accounts she controlled. She also made unauthorized transfers from The D’s Venmo account and made unauthorized purchases on the newspaper’s debit card.
In total, Chambers stole $223,372.51 from The D. She misused the funds on personal expenses, including plane tickets, hotels, and lodging across the United States and Caribbean as well as on items such as a 12-inch green tea memory foam mattress and bedframe. She also used The D’s funds to pay $1900 in fees associated with her husband’s court case in Newport (Rhode Island) County Superior Court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. The Hanover Police Department and Grafton County Attorney’s Office provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Settles Disability Discrimination Allegations with the Allergy and Asthma Center in RochesterRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A settlement agreement has been reached with the Allergy and Asthma Center (“the Center”) in Rochester to resolve allegations that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
“The ADA ensures that persons with disabilities can live their life free of discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The ADA’s requirement that public accommodations provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure that communication is effective protects individuals’ independence and freedom of choice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to use every resource and tool available to us to enforce the ADA and protect the rights of Granite Staters.”
The agreement resolves a complaint referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that the Center discriminated against a parent, who is deaf. According to the complainant, the Center canceled a child’s scheduled medical appointment after learning that the complainant, who planned to accompany their child to the appointment, would require a qualified ASL interpreter or similar accommodation for effective communication. The Center’s failure to timely accommodate the complainant resulted in an appreciable delay in care for the child after the complainant had to seek treatment for the child at a different provider.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Center has agreed to adopt new ADA policies and practices regarding effective communication and securing qualified interpreters for patients; train its staff on these policies; track future requests for auxiliary aids or services; and cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure ongoing compliance with the terms of the settlement agreement. Additionally, the Center has agreed to pay compensatory damages to the complainant and their child.
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in places of public accommodation, including medical clinics. It requires places of public accommodation to provide the necessary auxiliary aids and services to ensure that communication is effective. Such aids and services can include ASL interpreters for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and must be paid for by the place of public accommodation.
The Center fully cooperated with the government’s investigation.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Vicinanzo.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a place of public accommodation or public entity in New Hampshire is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (603) 225-1552 or through the Civil Rights Public Complaint Form found here. For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
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North Carolina Woman Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $500,000 from Farwell Funeral Service in NashuaRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A North Carolina woman was sentenced today in federal court in Concord in connection with charges arising out of her embezzlement of more than a half a million dollars from her previous employer, Farwell Funeral Service Inc. in Nashua, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
LaSaundra Simmons, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 27 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. The defendant was ordered to pay $541,381in restitution. On May 20, 2024, Simmons pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Simmons worked as the bookkeeper for Farwell Funeral Service, Inc. for several years. Starting in 2015, and continuing until it was discovered in January 2023, Simmons employed a scheme to embezzle funds from the company. On more than 100 occasions, she either made unauthorized wire transfers of funds from the funeral home’s bank account to her own account, or drafted unauthorized checks which she deposited by electronic wire transfer into her own account. She would often describe these checks as “commissions” or “consulting fees.” She embezzled $541,381 over the course of the scheme.
“Ms. Simmons’s conduct was egregious, long-running, and did great harm to a third-generation New Hampshire small business,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s sentence is a measure of justice for the victim and a warning to other fraudsters that if you steal from your employer, you will be prosecuted and incarcerated.”
“LaSaundra Simmons betrayed the trust of the family-run funeral home where she worked, and stole more than half a million dollars from them, using their money as her own,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI will diligently investigate and bring to justice anyone who engages in such egregious financial fraud.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.
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Mississippi Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraud Relating to Rental Property IncomeRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Mississippi woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to charges arising out of her theft of rental proceeds from her previous employer, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Roslyn Weems, 52, previously of Portsmouth, NH, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2024.
Weems worked for an individual who resides in Portsmouth. The victim owned a luxury property off the coast of Maine that was listed available for rent via the Internet at websites. In July 2021, Weems coordinated the rental of the property for three weeks, generating approximately $52,000 in rental income. Weems arranged to have the payments diverted to accounts under her exclusive control rather than an account associated with the property’s owner, and then used the payments for her own benefit.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Restitution is mandatory. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $68,000 from Medicaid and SNAPRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A man residing in Manchester pleaded guilty in federal court to defrauding Medicaid and the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of more than $68,000, which were benefits he was not entitled to, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Joel Gonzalez, a/k/a Joel Gonzalez De La Cruz, a/k/a Joel Cruz, a/k/a Joel King, 40, pleaded guilty to making False Statements. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliot scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2024. Gonzalez is currently in New Hampshire state custody for unrelated charges.
Gonzalez used a stolen identity, including name, date of birth, and Social Security Number of a U.S. citizen for approximately two decades. On June 21, 2019, Gonzalez applied for Medicaid benefits using the stolen identity. On July 26, 2019, he applied for SNAP benefits using the stolen identity. Between July 2019 and November 2023, Gonzalez filled out additional applications for Medicaid and SNAP benefits using the stolen identity. All of the applications were made under penalty of perjury. Gonzalez fraudulently received $68,580.65 in benefits he was not entitled to.
Gonzalez also maintained a Facebook account under the alias “Joel King.” Under his Facebook account, he posted a photo of an “Employee of the Month” certificate identifying himself using the stolen identity and he used the stolen identity to obtain the employment.
The charge of False Statements provides for a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, Manchester Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to a Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Louisville, Colorado man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to a firearm offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Shelby Theriault, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm. U.S. District Court Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2024.
On January 20, 2024, Theriault was arrested for unrelated theft offenses and found to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Theriault subsequently admitted to stealing the shotgun from a residence in New Hampshire and sawing down the barrel thereafter. Theriault then did not register the sawed-off shotgun as required by the National Firearm Act.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Conway Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Two Guatemalan Men Arrested Near the Pittsburg Port of Entry for Illegal Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Two Guatemalan men were arrested in connection with illegal immigration offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Esdras Aaron Calel-Cumes, 29, and Luis Felipe Xiloj-Ambrocio, 31, were charged by complaint, stemming from an arrest yesterday - September 9, 2024. Calel-Cumes was charged with one count of transporting an illegal alien, and Xiloj-Ambrocio was charged with one count of illegal entry. Both men will appear in federal court later today.
According to the charging documents, on September 9, 2024, remote surveillance equipment detected and captured images of a male walking in a remote and undeveloped area, just south of the Pittsburg Port of Entry in the northern most part of New Hampshire near the United States/Canadian International Border, in close proximity to US Route 3. Shortly thereafter, a responding Border Patrol Agent stopped a southbound vehicle after observing a male in the passenger seat who was wearing dark clothing like that of the individual who was captured on the surveillance images. The passenger was identified as Xiloj-Ambrocio. Both men were identified as Guatemalan nationals, and a record check revealed that neither Calel-Cumes nor Xiloj-Ambrocio had legal status in the United States.
The charge of transportation of an illegal alien carries a sentence of up to 5 years incarceration, up to 3 years of supervised released, and a fine up to $250,000. The charge of illegal entry carries a sentence of up to 6 months incarceration, up to 1 year of supervised release. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Newbury Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Newbury man was sentenced today in federal court for distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Marc Jacques, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Paul Barbadoro to 60 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. The defendant was ordered to pay $26,500 in restitution. On March 18, 2024, Jacques pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography.
Between 2018 and 2022, Jacques’ IP address had been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in connection with at least 40 CyberTips related to the online sexual exploitation of children. Between November 24 and December 6, 2021, Jacques uploaded 49 files of apparent CSAM to the social media platform Kik. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on Jacques’ residence and person in June 2022. Forensic examination of Jacques’ electronic devices revealed the presence of over 200 files of apparent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as well as chats between Jacques and others related to the sexual exploitation of children and the sharing of CSAM. In at least one chat conversation, Jacques sent videos of CSAM to others.
“Survivors of child sexual abuse material suffer from revictimization and live everyday with fear that their abuse is being shared on the internet,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Law enforcement in the District of New Hampshire will continue to utilize every resource available to disrupt the distribution of CSAM and incarcerate offenders convicted of these horrific crimes.”
“The defendant’s online behavior was flagged repeatedly by systems designed to detect predators sharing child sexual abuse materials. Today’s sentence is the result of the collaboration of private industry and the dedicated work of law enforcement who work together every day to see justice for the children victimized when these horrific images are produced,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), the Nashua Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Lancaster Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lancaster man was sentenced in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Olin Garneau, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 14 months in federal prison and 15 years of supervised release. Garneau waived indictment and pleaded guilty in February to a one-count information charging him with possession of child pornography.
“Those who distribute CSAM cause compounding harm to children who have already endured unspeakable trauma,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold these offenders accountable for their crimes and provide justice to their survivors.”
“Garneau thought he was talking to another online predator who shared his interest in the sexual abuse of children. Instead, he found an undercover HSI task force officer,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “HSI is proud to work every day with our partners to find the criminals who produce, trade, and possess child sexual abuse material. Above all, our goal is to protect kids.”
Garneau corresponded with an undercover law enforcement officer through an online chat platform. During the chats, Garneau discussed with the officer topics related to the sexual exploitation of children. Garneau also sent the undercover officer an image of CSAM, and a link to approximately 100 additional CSAM files online. More CSAM was located on Garneau’s cell phone following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.
Homeland Security Investigations led the federal investigation. The Nashua Police Department, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the New Hampshire State Police and the Lancaster Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Worcester Couple Sentenced to Federal Prison Following a Money Laundering Conspiracy ConvictionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A man and woman from Worcester, Massachusetts were sentenced to federal prison in connection with their roles in a money laundering conspiracy, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Nafis Quaye, 47, and Sunna Sepetu, 38, both of Worcester, Massachusetts were convicted of conspiracy to money launder in March 2024 by a federal jury in Concord following an eight-day trial. Quaye was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 2 years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliot. Quaye was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,287,220. Sepetu was sentenced last month by Judge Elliot to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment, 2 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $921,020 in restitution.
“These sentences reflect the serious emotional and financial harm these defendants caused the victim,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendants knowingly accepted millions of dollars in wire fraud proceeds from a victim in the United States and sent those proceeds overseas to the fraud perpetrator. Prosecuting people in the United States who facilitate the execution of international frauds committed on the internet is essential to disrupting the networks that pray on vulnerable members of our society.”
“Quaye and Sepetu conspired to move money stolen from a victim of fraud who believed they were sending funds to a romantic partner. Unfortunately, that romantic partner was later revealed to be a fictional character created by scammers overseas. The victim sent money to accounts controlled by Quaye and Sepetu, sending them over $3 million dollars before the conspiracy was stopped,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “We are dedicated to holding thieves like these defendants and their collaborators to account and are sending a clear message that facilitating the laundering of ill-gotten gains will result in federal prison time.”
The evidence at trial showed that between 2013 and 2019, the defendants received approximately $3.2 million in proceeds from a romance scam victim located in Texas. These proceeds were sent to bank accounts established by the defendants for various shell companies. The defendants then sent those fraud proceeds to the perpetrator of the fraud operating in Africa, while keeping a portion of the proceeds for themselves.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations within the United States Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Rombeau is prosecuting the case.
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Nashua Felon Sentenced to 68 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man was sentenced today in federal court in connection with a firearm-related charge, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Joshua Smith, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 68 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On February 6, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
In March 2022, Nashua Police detectives were executing a warrant for the defendant’s arrest. Detectives apprehended and arrested the defendant as he was leaving a building to get into a taxi. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was carrying a duffle bag that contained a 40 mm caliber riot gun. The defendant had previously been convicted of several felonies, including a robbery in 2013, and was therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of felons,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This office will continue to hold felons possessing firearms accountable for their continued disregard of the law and will ensure that they pay the penalty for their recidivism.”
“Getting firearms away from convicted felons not allowed to have them is vital as we work to combat violent crime in New Hampshire,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Joshua Smith has a lengthy criminal record and wasn’t permitted to have a gun. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to imprison criminals who refuse to respect the law in an effort to make our communities safer.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Charles Rombeau are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Swanzey Man Indicted for Stealing Firearms from a Federal Firearms LicenseeRead the Press Release
CONCORD –A Swanzey man was indicted in federal court for stealing firearms from a federally licensed gun store, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Khale Guillou, 19, of Swanzey, was indicted on one count of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee. Guillou is in Massachusetts state custody on unrelated charges. He will appear in federal court on a later date.
On July 6, 2024, Guillou stole 17 firearms from the premises of a person federally licensed to deal in firearms, including one rifle and 16 pistols.
The charge of theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to a 3-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Keene Police Department, Swanzey Police Department, Winchester Police Department, and Tewksbury Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Trafficking Approximately 50 Pounds of Methamphetamine into New HampshireRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Ronny O. Ramos, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Samantha D. Elliot scheduled sentencing for November 25, 2024. A trial date for co-defendant Riley P. Thibodeau has been set for September 17, 2024.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ramos conspired to traffic approximately 50 pounds of methamphetamine from Massachusetts to New Hampshire on five occasions. From March through October 2023, Ramos received five separate orders of methamphetamine from Thibodeau, via an intermediary. The payments to Thibodeau for the methamphetamine were made via the same intermediary. The amounts per order ranged from 10-12 pounds at a price of approximately $20,000 for each order. The methamphetamine was delivered to Thibodeau in New Hampshire. On October 31, 2023, law enforcement agents arrested Ramos in Methuen, Massachusetts, and seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine destined for New Hampshire.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Manchester Police Department, the Salem Police Department, and the Methuen Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case.
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Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Defraud Medicare of $39.5 MillionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Florida man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for his role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of $39.5 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Christopher Spellman, 22, of Port Richey, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for November 21, 2024. Spellman was charged on July 17, 2024.
According to court documents, Spellman and his co-conspirators owned and operated Dimon Business Solution, LLC, a purported durable medical equipment (DME) management company. Dimon operated a network of DME supplier businesses throughout the country, including two in New Hampshire. However, Spellman and his co-conspirators concealed their ownership interests in the DME suppliers by using nominee owners. Spellman and his co-conspirators paid kickbacks and bribes for signed doctors’ orders prescribing orthotic braces. Ultimately, Medicare beneficiaries received orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary, procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes, and not often wanted or needed.
During the conspiracy, Spellman and his co-conspirators submitted, or caused the submission of, false and fraudulent claims to Medicare in excess of $39.5 million for orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary, ineligible for Medicare reimbursement, or not provided as represented. Medicare paid at least $23 million to DME suppliers secretly owned and operated by Spellman and his co-conspirators for these claims.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service led the investigation. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward are prosecuting the case.
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Inmate at FCI Berlin Sentenced to an Additional 9 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a WeaponRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Berlin was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing a weapon in prison, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Kareem Davis, 23, was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty. Pursuant to federal law, the 9 month prison term must be served consecutive to the 108 month prison term Davis is presently serving for a kidnapping which occurred in the District of Columbia in 2020.
“The defendant is a criminal who was undeterred from committing crime by his original sentence. Instead, he possessed a weapon in federal custody not just once, or twice, but a total of three times,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Rather than focusing on rehabilitation during his time at FCI Berlin, the defendant continued to put others in danger. The sentence imposed by the Court should serve as a warning to other federal defendants that you cannot threaten the safety of other inmates or the prison staff without consequences.”
On May 3, 2023, Davis was searched for weapons while serving an ongoing sentence at FCI Berlin. Davis admitted to corrections officers that he possessed a “shank,” and correctional officers subsequently recovered a toothbrush sharpened to a point, with a handle fashioned out of latex gloves from Davis. This was the third incident where Davis was found to be in possession of a weapon while in federal custody.
FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor led the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon prosecuted the case.
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Manchester Woman Sentenced to 72 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Distribution and Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester woman was sentenced today in federal court on drug and firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Shannon Pellot-Sosa, 39, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Landya McCafferty to 72 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On April 30, 2024, Pellot-Sosa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
On April 5, 2022 and April 14, 2022, law enforcement purchased methamphetamine from Pellot-Sosa and her co-defendant near Pellot-Sosa’s Manchester residence. On May 5, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Pellot-Sosa’s residence and seized approximately 612 grams of cocaine, 147 grams of methamphetamine, and 28 grams of fentanyl, along with two handguns, one of which was loaded with six rounds of ammunition.
“The distribution of bulk quantities of drugs like methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine is, on its own, a serious federal offense,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “The possession of firearms by drug dealers exponentially compounds the risks to public safety. This office will continue to seek the heightened punishments provided by law for drug traffickers who choose to utilize guns as a tool of their trade.”
“The FBI and our partners will not let drugs and gun violence rip apart our communities,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence puts Shannon Pellot-Sosa out of business for supplying a steady stream of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl to anyone willing to pay for it, reaping a profit from other people’s addiction, while possessing illegal firearms.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s Jarad Hodes and Heather Cherniske.
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International Fugitive Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing over $10 Million from a New Hampshire Investment CompanyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Guatemalan man was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for stealing over $10 million from a New Hampshire-based investment company, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Roberto Montano, a/k/a Jorge Roberto Montano Midence, a/k/a Roberto Pellegrini, a/k/a Alberto Yardi, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 60 months in prison and one year of supervised release. On February 13, 2024, Montano pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
“The defendant’s theft was egregious. Over the course of several years, he stole more than $10 million and squandered the funds on a series of failed investments. In addition, after the fraud was uncovered, the defendant fled the United States, evading law enforcement for almost a decade before he was arrested,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This conviction and sentence underscore that this office and our law enforcement partners across the world will never stop to bring fraudsters to justice.”
“Robert Montano actively led his client to believe they were investing responsibly, putting their money into low-risk projects. But as his lies continued and the losses mounted to $10 million, Mr. Montano engaged in a cover-up, trying to conceal this staggering fraud before fleeing the U.S.,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Simply put, this case is about greed and the serious abuse of trust. Today’s sentence holds Mr. Montano accountable for his clear disdain for the law, and highlight’s the FBI’s determination to bring financial fraudsters like him to justice, no matter where in the world they try to hide.”
Montano is a Guatemalan citizen who managed two forestry projects in Guatemala for a New Hampshire-based investment adviser between 2007 and 2014. Beginning in approximately late 2009, Montano embezzled the projects' funds by (1) diverting cash and concealing the diversions using altered bank and financial statements; (2) mortgaging the projects’ properties without authorization and investing the proceeds in failed business ventures; and (3) stealing teak forestry subsidies paid by the Guatemalan government. To conceal his embezzlement, Montano altered or deleted entries in financial statements and moved funds back-and-forth between accounts during audits. For example, the defendant provided the victim a false bank statement reporting that one of the bank accounts had a cash balance of approximately $1,147,604 when it actually had a zero balance.
After Montano was alerted to an investigation into the fraud in 2014, he participated in a Skype call with the victim in which he admitted to embezzling funds “many years ago.” He admitted he “cooked the books” and “illegally” mortgaged properties. At the time, Montano was in Miami and promised that he would travel to New England. He also said he would not flee and added, “If I have to go to prison, I’ll go to prison.”
Montano instead fled the United States for Guatemala. While in Guatemala, the defendant participated in another call with the victim where he again admitted to embezzlement and fraud totaling approximately $10 million. However, the defendant was also wanted by Guatemalan authorities, and he moved to Nicaragua, where he has been living for several years under an alias. Most recently, Montano was known as “Alberto Yardi,” a purported life coach and yoga instructor.
Since 2014, the FBI was actively engaged in efforts to locate and arrest Montano. In 2022, the FBI received multiple reports that Montano was living in a resort town on the Pacific Coast in Nicaragua. After that, Montano agreed to meet with federal agents at the airport in Managua, Nicaragua, and flew to Miami International Airport. Once he was arrested in Miami, Montano provided law enforcement a five-page document admitting his guilt. The first two sentences read, “I am guilty. I abused the trust [the victim] placed in me.”
After Montano completes his sentence in the United States, he faces deportation to Guatemala, where he is charged with additional offenses.
The FBI led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Republic of Guatemala, the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Panama City, Panama, the FBI Miami Field Office, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. State Department, specifically the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, and the Embassy of Italy in Managua, Nicaragua. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
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Former Keene Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Almost $500,000Read the Press Release
CONCORD – A former Keene woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to stealing almost $500,000 from her employer between 2015 and 2021, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Stephanie Pratt, 39, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for November 12, 2024.
Pratt was the office administrator for a company based in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. She had full access to the company’s finances, including its bank accounts and credit cards. Over the course of six-and-a-half years, Pratt stole $492,325.34 from the company. She cashed unauthorized checks to herself and entered them as payments to legitimate vendors in the company’s accounting system. Pratt also used the company’s credit cards to make over 1,000 unauthorized personal purchases, including for items like plane tickets, a smart TV, a hot tub, Patriots tickets, and miscellaneous herbs and spices. She concealed the fraudulent credit card purchases by deleting them on credit card statements her employer received.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Salem Man Sentenced for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Salem man was sentenced today in federal court for drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Todd Mobley, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 60 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. On April 15, 2024, Mr. Mobley pled guilty to four counts of distribution of controlled substances, namely methamphetamine, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine and cocaine.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for trafficking dangerous narcotics in our state and puts an end to his drug dealing activities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “We remain committed to working with our federal, state, and county law enforcement partners to stem the sale of illegal narcotics in our communities.”
Between May 22, 2023 and June 26, 2023, Mobley sold a total of more than 534 grams of methamphetamine on four occasions. On July 10, 2023, he was arrested en route to another sale. On July 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant and recovered more than 890 grams of methamphetamine in the defendant’s vehicle and 84 grams of cocaine in the defendant’s storage unit.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Strelzin prosecuted the case.
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Belknap County Fugitive Anthony Clark Arrested in South BostonRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An inmate of the Belknap County jail who fled from a hospital where he was receiving medical treatment was arrested by the U.S. Marshals this morning in South Boston, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Anthony Clark, 41, was charged by complaint on August 1, 2024, with one count of violating the Fugitive Felon Act. Clark was arrested in South Boston this morning and will appear in federal court in Concord at noon today.
According to the charging documents, Clark was an inmate at the Belknap County jail on pretrial detention. He was facing trial on state charges, including assault, domestic violence, strangulation, witness tampering, and violating a protective order. In July 2024, he was released on conditions to the Concord Hospital in Laconia, New Hampshire, for medical procedures. Clark had an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor his location.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 28, the Laconia Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen who found an ankle bracelet on High Street near the Concord Hospital. Law enforcement confirmed that the bracelet belonged to Clark. Footage from Concord Hospital confirmed that Clark fled the area of the hospital at around 1 a.m. that day. When the ankle bracelet was removed from Clark there was a tamper alert, but it had gone undetected.
The U.S. Marshals arrested Clark. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Salem Man Indicted for Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Salem man was indicted in connection with firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Daniel Fratus, 38, was indicted on one count of possession of firearms by a prohibited person and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. Fratus appeared in federal court today and was detained.
According to the charging documents, on January 23, 2024, Fratus possessed two silencers and a total of nine guns: five rifles, three pistols, and one sawed-off shotgun. As a previously convicted felon, Fratus was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Additionally, the two silencers and four of the nine firearms were unregistered weapons.
The charge of possession of firearms by a prohibited person provides for a maximum sentence of up to fifteen years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of unregistered firearms provides for a sentence of no greater than ten years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Salem Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former School Employee Charged with Transporting a Former Student Across State Lines to Engage in Unlawful Sexual ConductRead the Press Release
CONCORD –A former Massachusetts school employee was charged by indictment in federal court in Concord for transporting a former student to New Hampshire to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Jesus Moore, 35, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was charged with one count of transportation to engage in unlawful sexual conduct. Moore self-surrendered and appeared in federal court today. He was released on conditions.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about March 7, 2022, Moore transported a former student at the school which employed Moore. At the time, the former student was under 18. The former student was transported across state lines to engage in unlawful sexual conduct.
The Department of Homeland Security, the Lawrence Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case.
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.
An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Private Parties’ Right to Bring Voting Rights Act Challenge to RobocallsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department today filed a statement of interest in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire supporting the right of private plaintiffs to bring a lawsuit challenging robocalls as intimidating, threatening or coercive in violation of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act. This brief is one of several filed by the Justice Department explaining the prohibition against voter intimidation in Section 11(b) and supporting the longstanding principle that private plaintiffs can sue to vindicate important rights protected by the Voting Rights Act.
“Voter intimidation, whether carried out in person or by way of robocalls, disinformation campaigns, or other tactics, can stand as a significant barrier for voters seeking to exercise their voice in our democracy,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Every voter has the fundamental right to cast their ballot free from intimidation, threats and coercion. Since enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, impacted voters, advocacy groups and organizations, have had full ability to turn to the courts to enforce the Act’s ban on voter intimidation across the country. The Justice Department has vigorously enforced this ban and will continue to challenge voter intimidation and defend the right of private citizens and organizations to do the same.”
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Hampshire remains committed to protecting voting rights using all enforcement tools available to us. Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act is a valuable aid in this effort, as it allows for voters to assist in the enforcement process by bringing private suits against anyone that intimidates, threatens or coerces another person in the exercise of their fundamental right to vote,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young for the District of New Hampshire. “Robocalls in particular can violate voting rights by incentivizing voters to remain away from the polls, deceive voters into believing false information and provoke fear among the targeted individuals. The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends any private citizen willing to stand up against these aggressive tactics and exercise their rights to participate in the enforcement process for the Voting Rights Act.”
The department filed its statement of interest in League of Women Voters of New Hampshire v. Kramer, a lawsuit filed by private plaintiffs who seek a preliminary injunction against a violation of Section 11(b) in connection with robocalls in the 2024 New Hampshire presidential primary election. Defendants moved to dismiss arguing among other things that there is no private right of action under Section 11(b) and that robocalls do not violate Section 11(b).
The statement of interest affirms that private parties may enforce Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act. It further explains that conduct violates Section 11(b) if it is objectively intimidating, threatening or coercive to a reasonable voter. That conduct may include robocalls containing false information about the time, place or manner of voting. Whether such robocalls violate the Voting Rights Act depends on such factors as the content and any deceptive features of the calls, the context and timing of the calls, the targeting of any particular group and other historical and social conditions. Federal law prohibits intimidation, threats and coercion throughout the voting process, including registration, casting a ballot and counting or tallying votes. Furthermore, federal law protects against both actual and attempted intimidation, coercion and threats.
More information about voting and elections is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Individuals can report possible violations of the federal voting rights laws through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone toll-free at 800-253-3931.
Rochester Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A man distributing methamphetamine in Rochester was sentenced today in federal court to 7 years imprisonment, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Felix Urrutia, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On May 28, 2024, Mr. Urrutia pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and four counts of distribution of methamphetamine. The defendant’s co-conspirator, Haley Cahill, pled guilty on May 31, 2024. She is scheduled for sentencing on September 10, 2024.
“The defendant was a large-volume methamphetamine dealer in the Rochester area. His disregard for the welfare of others by pumping poison into the community was exacerbated by his possession of a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message to drug dealers that conduct like the defendant’s will result in significant incarceration.”
“Like other drug traffickers, Felix Urrutia had no regard for the harm he caused in his community,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Getting dangerous drugs like methamphetamine off the street, and illegal firearms out of criminals’ hands, is a step toward making New Hampshire safer. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force will continue to work on behalf of all the good, law-abiding folks who live here.”
On four occasions between July and October 2023, Ms. Cahill supplied methamphetamine to Mr. Urrutia, who then sold the methamphetamine to a confidential source. The total amount of the methamphetamine sold by the defendant was approximately 238 grams. Investigators uncovered the conspiracy through surveillance of Ms. Cahill, who left her home and met with Mr. Urrutia prior to drug transactions between Mr. Urrutia and the confidential source. In November 2023, investigators executed a search warrant of Mr. Urrutia’s motel room and recovered a firearm. Mr. Urrutia sold the methamphetamine from that motel room during the investigation.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender Task Force led the investigation. The Major Offender Task Force is comprised of federal agents partnered with law enforcement officers from police departments state-wide. Valuable assistance was provided by the Dover and Rochester Police Departments, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.
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Former Grantham Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Almost $240,000 from a Charity and Gambling the Money AwayRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A former Grantham man and current resident of Holly Springs, North Carolina, was sentenced today in Concord for embezzling almost $240,000 from LISTEN Community Services (LISTEN), an Upper Valley charity that offers multiple services for vulnerable individuals, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Kyle Fisher, 43, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 21 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. The defendant was ordered to pay $239,297.09 in restitution. On February 17, 2024, Fisher pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
“The defendant stole almost a quarter million dollars from a charity that provides services for vulnerable people,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Every dollar the defendant stole was a dollar denied to those in need of food, shelter, or education. The defendant’s gambling away the money he so brazenly stole at a casino only compounded his reprehensible conduct. I hope today’s sentence helps LISTEN and the community it serves begin the first step in their healing process.”
“Kyle Fisher not only cheated the charity he worked for by stealing almost a quarter-million dollars, but he also tried to conceal his criminal cash flow before gambling it away. There’s no question what Mr. Fisher did deprived our neighbors in the Upper Valley of much needed assistance with food, housing, heating, and education,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Embezzlement schemes like this can be simply devastating for the victims which is why the FBI is committed to bringing financial fraud to light and perpetrators like Mr. Fisher to justice.”
Fisher was the Executive Director of LISTEN from approximately August 2016 - October 2022. As Executive Director, Fisher had full access to LISTEN’s finances, including its bank account and PayPal account, which it used to collect donations. Fisher made unauthorized transfers from LISTEN’s bank accounts and PayPal to accounts he controlled. He also wrote eight unauthorized checks payable to himself. Fisher then spent the stolen funds on personal expenses, primarily gambling at a casino in Springfield, Massachusetts.
For example, on January 24, 2022, Fisher withdrew $4,787 from LISTEN’s PayPal account and transferred the funds to his personal bank account. Later that same day, Fisher made multiple withdrawals from his bank account, including at ATMs at the casino. He then deposited a substantial amount of cash into his personal casino account that day. The casino records showed that Fisher continuously gambled on January 24, 2022 and January 25, 2022, and lost a combined $6,719 over those two days.
Fisher also took steps to conceal his embezzlement from LISTEN. For example, he created a fake PayPal statement that showed over $94,000 in payments to Dell. Fisher also provided fraudulent invoices to LISTEN.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lebanon Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.
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Nashua Felon Pleads Guilty to the Illegal Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Nashua man pleaded guilty today in federal court to firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Robert Reidy, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person and one count of possession of unregistered firearms. U.S. District Court Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2024.
On December 5, 2023, members of the Nashua Police Department arrived at Reidy’s residence to execute a state search warrant. Reidy refused multiple commands to exit his residence, and ultimately surrendered after chemical munitions were deployed into his residence. Reidy admitted to possessing “ghost guns.” Law enforcement ultimately located one short-barreled AR-style rifle with a silencer threaded onto the barrel, three additional disassembled firearms hidden in the attic that all appeared to be privately manufactured, as well as 160 rounds of ammunition. Reidy was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a prior felony conviction for Escape from a Penal Institution in 2017. Reidy also did not register the short-barreled rifle or silencer as required by the National Firearm Act.
The charge of possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person provides for a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to a 3-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of unregistered firearms provides for a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to a 3-year term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Manchester Felon Pleads Guilty to the Illegal Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to a firearm offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Monytung Maker, a/k/a “MoSavage”, 27, pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for October 29, 2024.
On August 2, 2023, members of the Manchester Police Department executed a search warrant at Maker’s Manchester apartment in connection to a drug investigation. During the search, law enforcement found a backpack in Maker’s bedroom containing his bank cards and a 9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition. Maker later admitted to law enforcement that he possessed this firearm for protection. Maker was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a prior felony convicted for unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit in 2019.
The charging statute provides for a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to a three-year term of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Felon Sentenced to 95 Months in Federal Prison for Distributing Crack Cocaine, the Illegal Possession of Four Firearms, Ammunition, a Machine Gun Conversion Device, and Violating Federal Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court in connection to his distribution of crack cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a machine gun conversion device (otherwise known as a “Switch”), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Joseph Taylor, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 95 months in federal prison. Taylor was sentenced to a total of 77 months on one count of drug distribution, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm – the Switch. Taylor was also sentenced to a consecutive sentence of 18 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release in committing these crimes.
“The defendant, a serial felon, was undeterred by his previous federal convictions and supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Taylor’s drug sales coupled with his illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and a Switch has resulted in his incarceration in federal prison for more than 7 years, thus protecting the community from his unrelenting criminal conduct.”
"Possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous for society," said Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson, ATF Boston Field Division. "But that danger increases exponentially when prohibited individuals possess firearms containing switches that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. Within a matter of a few seconds, such firearms can fire multiple rounds with a single squeeze of the trigger. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that anyone who possesses a machine gun conversion device will be prosecuted federally and face serious consequences."
On three occasions in November 2023 and January 2024, Taylor sold crack cocaine to an individual who was cooperating with the Manchester Police Department. When law enforcement searched Taylor’s residence, they found money that had been used in the controlled buys, four firearms, ammunition, magazines and other firearm accessories, and a 3D-printed Switch. One of the firearms had previously been reported to the Manchester Police Department as stolen. Taylor did not register the machine gun conversion device (Switch) on the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) as required by the National Firearms Act. Taylor had previously been convicted of four felonies and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. At the time he committed these crimes, Taylor was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and John Kennedy prosecuted the case.
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Arizona Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Distribution in New HampshireRead the Press Release
CONCORD – An Arizona man distributing methamphetamine shipped through the United State Postal Service (USPS) into New Hampshire was sentenced today in federal court in Concord to 90 months’ imprisonment, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Michael Bowling, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott to 90 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 11, 2024, Bowling pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal investigative partners have dedicated significant resources to stopping the flow of drugs into to New Hampshire through the mail,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The lengthy prison sentence imposed today by the Court reflects the seriousness of using federal assets to aid in illegal drug distribution. Anyone transporting poisonous drugs using USPS should think again. Law enforcement is watching and poised to take action.”
“As methamphetamine seizures are on the rise, DEA stands committed to keeping this highly addictive drug out of New Hampshire,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge, Stephen P. Belleau, DEA New England Field Division. “Today’s sentence not only holds Mr. Bowling accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those who attempt to bring this poison to the Granite State. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”
“Today’s sentencing should send a clear message that using the U.S. Mail to facilitate drug trafficking activities will not be tolerated,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “This successful investigation is a result of strong partnerships both within the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and with our local and federal law enforcement partners.”
In 2021, the defendant mailed packages of methamphetamine from Arizona into New Hampshire, using fictitious return addresses to thwart law enforcement from identifying him as the supplier. Despite his efforts, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized three packages of methamphetamine sent by the defendant to his Lakes Region co-conspirators, containing over 600 grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement arrested the defendant in his Arizona home, where he admitted to mailing the methamphetamine to New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire USPIS and DEA Manchester District Office led the drug investigation, in partnership with the USPIS Phoenix Division and DEA Phoenix Field Division I. The Meredith Police Department, Belknap County Drug Task Force, New Hampshire State Police, and the USPIS Denver, Washington, and Fort Worth Divisions provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.
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Former Manchester Business Owner Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court for distribution of fentanyl and crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Walter Velez, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 48 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised released. On April 2, 2024, Velez pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of controlled substances, namely fentanyl and crack cocaine.
In April 2023, Velez sold fentanyl and crack cocaine to a confidential informant on four occasions at his then business, Velez Alignment & Auto Services, LLC, located at 416 Lake Avenue in Manchester. The four sales totaled over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 20 grams of crack cocaine.
“The defendant distributed a significant amount of drugs from his business, which was located in a densely populated neighborhood,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Law enforcement in the Granite State remains committed to thwarting out drug dealers at every level in the supply chain to hold them accountable for selling dangerous narcotics and to eradicate drug trafficking in our neighborhoods.”
“Velez was caught selling crack cocaine and fentanyl, two deadly drugs that have caused havoc and destruction for too many families in New Hampshire. Today’s sentence puts an end to Velez’s drug dealing. HSI continues to work with our partners in New Hampshire to stop the trafficking and distribution of drugs into our communities,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.
The Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward prosecuted the case.
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Dominican Man Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Dominican man was arrested in connection with a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Maikol Yordan Saldivar-Diaz, 28, was charged by complaint with one count of Distribution of Controlled Substances, namely fentanyl and methamphetamine. Saldivar-Diaz was arrested on July 17, 2024, and will appear in federal court in Concord on July 19, 2024.
According to the charging documents, Portsmouth Housing Authority notified Portsmouth Police Department of consistent drug activity at the Gosling Meadows Housing Development in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Investigators were subsequently able to identify Saldivar-Diaz as the source of this drug activity. On three occasions in June and July of 2024, Saldivar-Diaz sold controlled substances to a confidential informant. The first two sales were for a quantity of suspected fentanyl, and the third sale was for a quantity of suspected methamphetamine.
Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Scanlon is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Exeter Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Exeter man pleaded guilty today in federal court to possession of child sexual abuse materials, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Nathan Kohler, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for October 17, 2024.
On January 2, 2023, and again on February 14, 2023, the NH Internet Crimes Against Children (“ICAC”) Task Force’s BitTorrent software identified a target IP address making child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”) available for download through the Peer-to-Peer (“P2P”) network BitTorrent. Further investigation identified the defendant’s residence in Exeter, New Hampshire as the subscriber of the target IP address.
On April 5, 2023, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s residence. During that search, law enforcement seized a Dell laptop computer from the defendant’s bedroom, containing approximately 2,000 images of CSAM and two video files. Numerous images depicted prepubescent minors, or minors who had not attained 12 years of age.
During an interview with law enforcement, the defendant admitted that he was the individual who has been using the internet in the residence to download CSAM and has been engaged in such activity for a number of years. The defendant stated that he used his laptop computer which was located in his bedroom to access CSAM.
The charge of Possession of Child Pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Exeter Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006, by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Manchester Man Arrested for Manufacturing and Trafficking Counterfeit Pharmaceutical PillsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man has been charged in connection with operating a counterfeit pill pressing scheme, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Jerry Summers, 44, of Manchester, was charged by complaint with one count of manufacturing a controlled substance, containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and trafficking in a drug and using a counterfeit drug mark on or in connection with such drug. The defendant’s next scheduled hearing is July 8, 2024.
According to the charging documents, after a multi-month federal and state investigation, on July 1, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Clandestine Laboratory Team executed a federal search warrant of Summer’s Manchester office suite, rented under the name of “Summertime Drywall and Maintenance LLC.” During the search, DEA agents located a pill press that was covered in powdered residue and wrapped in soundproofing material, and large amounts of colored press tablets. A drug test revealed the presence of fentanyl and amphetamines on the residue found on and around the pill press.
On two prior occasions, Summers sold pills to a confidential informant. During the first sale, which occurred on March 21, 2024, Summers sold a quantity of blue pills that were marked as being OxyContin but later tested positive for fentanyl. During the second sale, on April 10, 2024, Summer sold a quantity of blue pills that were marked as being OxyContin but later tested positive for fentanyl as well as a quantity of orange pills that were marked as being Adderall but later tested positive for methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Catholic Medical Center to Pay $300,000 to Settle Allegations of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances, including opioids, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
The CSA deters the illegal distribution, possession, dispensing, and improper use of controlled substances. The CSA requires the accurate inventorying, tracking and recordkeeping of controlled substances to prevent misuse.
“The CSA created a ‘closed system’ of controlled substance distribution so the DEA can better monitor the movement of prescription drugs to end users. The requirement to keep complete and accurate records is crucial for accountability and transparency. In this case, an independent, certified registered nurse anesthetist was able to steal controlled substances almost every day she worked over the course of a year. Her thefts should have been detected before she was able to steal hundreds of doses of fentanyl. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these cases to ensure that hospitals abide by the regulations of the CSA,” said U.S. Attorney Jane Young.
“DEA registrants are responsible for handling-controlled substances responsibly and ensuring that complete and accurate records are being properly kept and accounted for in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “We are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began an investigation after CMC reported that an independent, certified registered nurse anesthetist, Robin Nichols, had tampered with and diverted liquid fentanyl, a narcotic painkiller drug. On June 12, 2024, Nichols pled guilty to tampering with consumer products. Nichols admitted that on April 15, 2023, while working as a nurse at CMC, she removed a quantity of fentanyl from a syringe intended for an operating room patient and which she knew was intended for that patient. Nichols replaced the fentanyl with a quantity of liquid saline and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). She also admitted to diverting the fentanyl for her own use.
The Investigation revealed that Nichols stole controlled substances approximately once every day that she worked for a year. One of the ways she diverted was by stealing fentanyl leftover from medical procedures, instead of safely discarding it. This action by Nichols resulted in the creation and retention of false wasting records. Therefore, the investigation revealed CMC’s failure to keep accurate and complete wasting records.
The DEA also completed an audit of CMC’s records which found that the records did not accurately reflect CMC’s inventory for seven controlled substances, including fentanyl, because CMC possessed greater quantities than its records indicated for those drugs. The DEA also found that CMC did not have effective controls and procedures in place to guard against the theft and diversion of controlled substances.
CMC did not admit to liability. CMC fully cooperated with the government’s investigation and has taken significant steps to improve its controls and procedures against future theft and diversion of controlled substances.
The DEA led the investigation leading to the settlement agreement. The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz.
Pelham Woman Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchasing a FirearmRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Pelham woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to making a false statement to acquire a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Rebecca Aubuchont, 28, pleaded guilty to making a false statement in connection with acquiring a firearm for her then-partner, James Aubuchont. U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for October 17, 2024. James pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of two firearms and ammunition on June 13, 2024, and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 20, 2024.
In July 2023, a state warrant was issued for James’s arrest in connection with an aggravated felonious sexual assault. Law enforcement arrested him on July 12, 2023, near the Flat Mountain Pond Shelter in the White Mountains. During a recorded jailhouse call, James asked Rebecca to retrieve his two “fishing rods” from the campsite, including one that “we got from VJ, remember the one you bought?” Three days later, law enforcement recovered a rifle and pistol from James’s campsite, along with over 2,000 rounds of ammunition. Rebecca had purchased the rifle from a firearms dealer operated by an individual with the first and middle initials V.J. with the intention of giving the gun to James.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms led the investigation. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Forest Service provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Tiffany A. Scanlon are prosecuting the case.
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Sierra Leone Man Pleads Guilty to Car Loan Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Sierra Leone man pleaded guilty today in federal court to orchestrating a fraudulent car loan scheme, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Solomon Yarteh, 50, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for October 7, 2024. Co-defendants Donna Silva, Niurka Lebron, and Robosteur St. Felix previously all pled guilty and were sentenced in 2022.
Yarteh was the owner and President of Allied Imports, a car wholesaler located in Manchester. As a wholesaler, Allied Imports was not licensed to conduct retail sales of vehicles and could only sell to dealers. Allied Imports was located next to Cap’s Auto Sales, a business licensed to sell cars. Cap’s Auto was controlled by St. Felix.
Between February 2019 and July 2019, Yarteh led a scheme to fraudulently obtain multiple car loans from multiple financial institutions. The loans were supposed to be secured by vehicles being sold by Allied Imports or Cap’s Auto. Yarteh and his co-conspirators used fraudulent documents to trick lenders into believing that Allied Imports or Cap’s Auto owned and held title to the vehicles when the cars actually belonged to other companies. The loan proceeds were deposited into accounts Yarteh controlled. Yarteh was able to fraudulently obtain over $430,000 through this scheme.
Yarteh was originally indicted in 2021, but had already left the United States. INTERPOL then issued a red notice for his arrest. In spring 2023, authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested Yarteh in Dubai. With the cooperation of the Emirati government, Yarteh was removed to the United States in late November 2023. He has continuously been in custody since.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 30 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service. The New Hampshire Banking Department, INTERPOL, Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and Government of the United Arab Emirates provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Charles L. Rombeau are prosecuting the case.
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Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Funds Intended to Help At-Risk VeteransRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in federal court to defrauding a nonprofit health care provider to obtain funds designated for reducing suicide rates among veterans, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
David Duren, a/k/a Dawud Hakiem Duren, 48, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for October 10, 2024.
Duren was a program manager for a nonprofit health care provider in Nashua, New Hampshire. He was in charge of overseeing a program funded by a $750,000 Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant. The grant was awarded by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to provide treatment and services to veterans at risk of suicide. At Duren’s recommendation, the health care provider hired a company called “E3 Foundation” to provide services funded by the Staff Sergeant Fox grant. E3 Foundation was in turn purportedly led by a “Dr. Michael Rapp.” However, unbeknownst to the health care provider, Duren controlled E3 Foundation and was pretending to be “Dr. Michael Rapp” on emails and calls.
Duren was able to fraudulently obtain almost $50,000 in Staff Sergeant Fox program funds and tried to obtain an additional $25,000 before being discovered. He used a website called “Invoice Generator” to create fake invoices. Duren and E3 Foundation also did not provide the services and products that he billed for.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
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Justin Gebo Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A former Belmont man was sentenced today in federal court in connection with his possession of firearms as a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Justin Gebo, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul P. Barbadoro to 33 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release on two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, including being in possession of a firearm while under indictment and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“This case makes clear why felons cannot be trusted to possess firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “The defendant’s unlawful receipt of the CZ Scorpion during a time he was under felony indictment was the beginning of that firearm’s path to the hands of a convicted felony where it was used to commit heinous crimes. The sentence imposed by the Court makes clear the significant consequences for those prohibited persons who possess guns.”
According to the charging documents, on or about January 1, 2023, Gebo was in receipt of a Ceska Zrojovka (“CZ”) model Scorpion EVO 3, S2, 9x19mm short-barreled rifle, with an attached armbrace, while he was under felony indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. That firearm was later recovered during a homicide investigation on June 3, 2023, in Franklin, New Hampshire. In addition, on or about February 3, 2023, Gebo was in possession of a 17 Design and Manufacturing, model 17DM-15, multicaliber rifle, after he had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police and the Laconia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W.R. Ward is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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Rochester Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 Fraud, Identify Theft, and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Rochester man was sentenced today in federal court for submitting fraudulent applications for COVID-19 pandemic relief funds using stolen identities and for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Heath Gauthier, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Laplante to 145 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $202,507 in restitution with $196,507 being paid to the Small Business Administration and $6,000 to two CSAM survivors.
On February 22, 2024, Gauthier pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of attempted wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of possession of child pornography.
“The defendant possessed more than one thousand images of child sex abuse material and stole people’s identities to submit numerous fraudulent applications for COVID relief funds intended for individuals and businesses who suffered financial harm as a result of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant not only stole of hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and undermined the public confidence in pandemic relief programs, but also preyed on the most vulnerable members of society-children. The sentence imposed today sends a clear message that those who possess child sex abuse material or steal from taxpayers will be incarcerated in federal prison for long periods of time.”
“What Heath Gauthier did is disgraceful. This convicted sex offender possessed more than 1,500 images of child sexual abuse material on his computer and stole the identities of more than 10 dead people so he could blatantly defraud a government program meant to keep businesses and workers afloat during the pandemic,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Anyone who thinks exploiting children and defrauding American taxpayers is acceptable, better think twice, because the FBI and our partners stand ready to bring you to justice.”
“Today’s sentencing of Heath Gauthier demonstrates the IRS’s commitment to protecting the America people from all criminal maleficence,” said Special Agent in Charge, Harry T. Chavis Jr., IRS Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office. “Gauthier not only stole the identities of innocent people in order to misappropriate pandemic relief funds, but he also took advantage of the most innocent people, children. IRS Criminal Investigations is committed to protecting all Americans, especially the most vulnerable, from those seeking to do them harm.”
Between February 2020 and March 2021, Gauthier fraudulently applied for more than a dozen loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. Gauthier applied for loans for non-existent companies and used the identities of more than ten deceased individuals in his applications, listing them in some applications as owners or employees of the fictitious companies. He also submitted false documents, including fabricated tax documents and counterfeit driver’s licenses to support his fraudulent applications. In total Gauthier applied for more than $1 million in CARES Act loan funds.
On February 16, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant on his residence, where they seized and later searched Gauthier’s electronic devices. During the search, investigators discovered more than 1,500 files that contained CSAM.
IRS Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and the Social Security Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew T. Hunter and Kasey Weiland prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
During the early part of the coronavirus pandemic, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act included multiple relief provisions to help the millions of Americans and many small businesses adversely affected by the pandemic, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Private lenders could participate in the PPP. The loans, which were supposed to be used for payroll, were fully guaranteed by the government. If borrowers used the PPP loans for payroll and other approved expenses as intended, they could apply for loan forgiveness. The CARES Act also opened up the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. As with PPP loans, EIDL loans were supposed to be used for payroll and other business expenses such as rent and mortgage.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Sanbornton Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Sanbornton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Timothy Ryan, 35, pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with an additional count of possession of CSAM, for a total of two counts of possession of CSAM. On December 12, 2022, Ryan was originally charged by complaint with one count of possession of CSAM. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for October 8, 2024.
The defendant was identified as a top offender in the state of New Hampshire for supplying CSAM through the peer-to-peer network BitTorrent. Investigators traced the illicit internet activity to his residence. On December 13, 2022, a federal search warrant was executed on search his electronic devices. Forensic examination of the defendant’s cell phone revealed the presence of approximately 2,600 files of apparent CSAM.
In November 2023, while Ryan was on bond for his original federal CSAM charge, investigators with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs received information that an IP address associated with one of its residential facilities in Massachusetts was being used regularly to distribute known CSAM on the BitTorrent network. Further investigation revealed that Ryan had moved into that facility around the same time that the illicit activity was first observed. In December 2023, federal authorities executed a second search warrant for Ryan’s private room at the facility, resulting in the seizure of more electronic devices containing hundreds of images of CSAM.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum 5 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and mandatory restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Secret Service, the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Nashua Police Department, the Grafton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Sanbornton Police Department and the U.S. Veterans Affairs Police Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Felon Pleads Guilty to Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to his distribution of fentanyl, his possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and his being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Victor Rosario, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for October 11, 2024.
Between December 2023 – January 2024, on four occasions Rosario sold fentanyl to an individual who was cooperating with the Manchester Police Department. During the fourth sale, Rosario also sold the cooperating individual an AK-style rifle. When law enforcement searched Rosario’s residence and vehicle on January 17, 2024, they found more drugs, including more than 300 grams of fentanyl and more than 1,000 grams of cocaine.
The charge of drug distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew T. Hunter and Kasey Weiland are prosecuting the case.
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Sex Offender Sentenced for ContemptRead the Press Release
CONCORD – A former Franklin man was sentenced today in federal court in connection with his online activities while under court supervision, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Zachary Cote, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott to 18 months in federal prison for contempt based on his violation of the Court’s order setting his conditions of release, which included that he not commit any violations of state or federal law and that he refrain from possessing computers or accessing the internet. His sentenced is to be served consecutively to the 60 months he is currently serving for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“The defendant flagrantly violated his conditions of release after his sentencing for possessing CSAM,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “While the Court’s conditions of bail did not deter the defendant’s criminal conduct, the additional 18 months in prison will.”
“The fact that this sex offender continued to engage in criminal conduct while waiting to head to prison is deeply concerning, and demonstrates a blatant disrespect for the law,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “It is our hope that with today’s sentence, Zachary Cote learns his lesson.”
Cote pled guilty to possession of CSAM on September 20, 2021. During a November 2020 detention hearing following his arrest in that case, a magistrate judge ordered Cote released subject to certain conditions, including the condition that he not commit any violations of state or federal law and that he refrain from possessing computers or accessing the internet. Cote was later sentenced to 60 months on the CSAM charge on January 24, 2022 and surrendered to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence on March 4, 2022.
After Cote had been sentenced but before he surrendered to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, federal authorities received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which indicated that a user on the social media platform Snapchat had uploaded two images of apparent CSAM in February 2022. The IP address associated with the illicit activity resolved to Cote’s residence and Cote was ultimately identified as the user of the account. He remains in the custody of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kasey Weiland is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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