District of New Hampshire

CONCORD – A Nashua man was indicted in connection with a robbery and transportation of stolen vehicles and money, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Barry English, 37, was indicted on one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, two counts of Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Vehicle, and one count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money. English was arrested on June 24, 2024. He appeared in federal court today and is detained.

According to the charging documents, on May 23, 2024, English drove a stolen Honda Fit from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. On June 23, 2024, he robbed a Cumberland Farms in Nashua. The following day, June 24, English drove a stolen BMW, along with more than $5000 in stolen cash, from Vermont to New Hampshire.

The charge of Hobbs Act Robbery provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of not more than $250,000.  The charge of Interstate Transportation of a Stolen Vehicle provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of not more than $250,000. The charge of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of not more than $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 and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation. The Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Lowell (Massachusetts) Police Department, and the Newport (Vermont) Police Department all 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.

###

CONCORD – A Florida man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Concord for his role in a conspiracy to defraud Medicare of $7.3 million, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Shane Jordan, 38, of Orlando, Florida, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for March 13, 2025. Jordan was charged on September 20, 2024.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Jordan was a physician assistant licensed in multiple jurisdictions, including New Hampshire. From February 2021 until May 2024, Jordan worked for a Florida-based telemedicine company and agreed to electronically sign doctor’s orders for cancer genetic testing regardless of the medical necessity for the testing, in the absence of a pre-existing medical provider-patient relationship with the Medicare beneficiary, and frequently based solely on a short telephone conversation. Jordan was paid approximately $25 per patient telemedicine “consultation” – totaling more than $212,000. The doctor’s orders signed by Jordan were then used to submit more than $7.3 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for cancer genetic testing.

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 and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General led the investigation.  First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack and Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward are prosecuting the case.

###

CONCORD – A Sierra Leone man and former Manchester businessman was sentenced today in federal court for fraudulently obtaining more than $400,000 in car loans, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Solomon Yarteh, 50, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro to 40 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On July 1, 2024, Yarteh pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud.  Co-defendants Donna Silva, Niurka Lebron, and Robesteur St. Felix pled guilty and were sentenced in 2022.

“The defendant enlisted his friends and family members to submit multiple fraudulent loan applications to lenders over $400,000,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “He left the United States after learning of an investigation and was apprehended in Dubai several years later.  I thank our law enforcement partners here and across the world for diligently working to bring fraudsters like the defendant to justice.”

“The sentencing of Mr. Yarteh is a direct result of the hard work of the prosecution team and law enforcement partners here in New Hampshire to secure his conviction and the international partnerships which allowed him to be brought to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the United States Postal Inspection Service.

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 $411,000 through this scheme and attempted to get another $217,000.

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 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 prosecuted the case.  

###

CONCORD – A Hudson man was sentenced today in federal court for stealing $342,650 in COVID-19 relief funds and attempting to steal an additional $150,000 U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Matthew Dispensa, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 21 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release. The defendant also agreed to resolve his False Claims Act liability for the stolen funds and to pay $492,650. This included $342,650 in court-ordered restitution and an additional $150,000 civil monetary penalty. On February 15, 2024, Dispensa pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud and one count of attempted wire fraud.

“The defendant lied to get hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief funds designed to mitigate the worst economic and public health crisis in decades,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “This case underscores how this office will utilize both criminal and civil tools to hold accountable those who defraud pandemic relief programs.” 

“The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) aggressively investigates violations of Federal laws that impact the taxpayers and programs of the United States,” stated Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Carpenter. “To that end, the defendant has been prosecuted to the extent possible in an effort to hold him accountable and deter others from committing these violations.”

Dispensa fraudulently applied for multiple loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. For example, on May 5, 2020, he applied for a $90,400 PPP loan from Primary Bank for an entity called Gateway Hills LLC.  Gateway Hills LLC had no apparent operations separate from Dispensa’s gym in Nashua, which operated under the name Gateway Hills Club. In the application, Dispensa provided the bank multiple false supporting documents, such as fraudulent annual and quarterly tax documents and a “Management Report” for the period ending December 31, 2020, seven months into the future.  Dispensa also provided a “Payroll Summary” showing that he was paid $8,700 per month through Gateway Hills LLC.  The defendant’s true tax returns showed no income from that entity.

In another application, Dispensa obtained a $146,650 PPP loan for the Gateway Hills Club entity. He claimed that annual payroll was over $542,000 in 2020, but his real tax filings showed that payroll was only approximately $118,000 that year.

Overall, Dispensa fraudulently obtained $342,650 in PPP loans and attempted to fraudulently obtain another $150,000. He misspent the pandemic relief funds on purchases such as gambling on DraftKings, Tesla stock worth over $83,000, and 10,000 shares in a real estate investment trust. He falsely represented to the Small Business Administration that he used the funds for payroll and other approved expenses.

The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the criminal case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael Katz prosecuted the civil case.

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.

###

CONCORD – A former New Hampshire woman pleaded guilty in federal court to charges arising out of her defrauding her prior employer, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

         Elizabeth Morse, 55, currently of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges.  U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2025.

          According to statements in court and from the public record, the defendant was a long-time employee of Bedford Women’s Care Associates (“BWCA”), a Bedford, NH-based medical group practice that specialized in Obstetrics & Gynecology until its closure in early 2023.  Starting in 2020, the defendant became BWCA’s office manager and handled the processing of payroll through a third-party servicer. Taking advantage of the trust placed in her as office manager, defendant manipulated the payroll processes at BWCA, logging into the third-party servicer and changing her rate of pay to a higher amount than what she was entitled to. The defendant obtained these ill-gotten gains pursuant to the scheme over the course of approximately three years.

           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.  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.  Through her plea agreement, defendant has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $168,366.66.

           The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

 ###

CONCORD – A former Manchester man and convicted sex offender was sentenced today in federal court for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

           James Aubuchont, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 57 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On June 13, 2024, Aubuchont pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. 

           “A violent sex offender possessed two firearms and enough ammunition to equip a small militia,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “Today’s significant sentence demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to ensuring that felons who possess firearms face swift consequences for their repeated disregard of the law.”

           “Removing violent offenders, especially those with a history of sex crimes, from our communities is critical to ensuring public safety,” said James M. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division “This case highlights the dangers posed by violent individuals who unlawfully possess firearms and ammunition. ATF and our partners remain committed to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those who threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”

          Aubuchont has an extensive criminal record spanning three decades. In July 2023, a state warrant was issued for Aubuchont’s arrest. Law enforcement arrested him on July 12, 2023, near the Flat Mountain Pond Shelter in the White Mountains. During a recorded jail call, Aubuchont asked his then-romantic partner, Rebecca Aubuchont, 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 Aubuchont’s campsite, along with over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.  The rifle had been purchased from a firearms dealer operated by an individual with the first and middle initials V.J.

          During that recorded call, Aubuchont had also asked Rebecca Aubuchont to remove some of his property, which he called “garbage,” from the jail.  The “garbage” was a damaged cell phone with an intact Micro SD card containing over 1,300 images and 140 videos of child sex abuse materials, some of which depicted Aubuchont himself assaulting a minor.   He is currently serving a separate state sentence of 33 years to life for aggravated felonious sexual assault of two minors, possession of child sex abuse images, and manufacturing child pornography.

          On July 2, 2024, Rebecca Aubuchont pleaded guilty to straw purchasing one of the firearms for Aubuchont.  Rebecca Aubuchont is currently scheduled to be sentenced on December 9, 2024.

          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 prosecuted the case.

###

CONCORD – David Duren of Haverhill, Massachusetts was sentenced today in federal court for attempting to steal almost $73,000 from a nonprofit health care provider, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

          David Duren, a/k/a Dawud Hakiem Duren, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 15 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  On July 1, 2024, Duren pleaded guilty to wire fraud.

          “The defendant is a recidivist fraudster who used a sophisticated scheme to steal money intended to help vulnerable veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “He spent the stolen money on items like a cruise, landscaping at his home and OnlyFans.com.  His brazen criminal conduct was compounded by the fact that he stole from a program dedicated to preventing veteran suicides. Today’s sentence should be a warning to others that stealing from veterans will not be tolerated and will result in incarceration.” 

          “Today’s sentencing sends the message that the VA Office of Inspector General will work diligently to hold accountable those who would egregiously steal funds intended to help our most vulnerable veterans in crisis,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their excellent work in this case.”

          Duren was a program manager for a nonprofit health care provider in Nashua, New Hampshire.  He oversaw 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 “faith-based organization” 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 victim, E3 Foundation was a shell company and Dr. Rapp did not exist.  Duren 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 $24,000 before being discovered.  He used a website called “Invoice Generator” to create fake invoices.  Duren offered to personally hand-deliver payments to E3 Foundation and Dr. Rapp at their regularly scheduled meetings.  Duren and E3 Foundation did not provide the services and products that he billed for.

          After the fraud was uncovered, Duren took steps to attempt to conceal his wrongdoing.  For example, he emailed the victim a document containing notes of a “meeting” between himself and Dr. Rapp dated July 28, 2023, but the metadata proved he created the document a month after that date.  Duren also provided the victim a phone number for Dr. Rapp, who replied via email that he was on vacation in Europe.  Shortly after, Duren created a voicemail for Dr. Rapp he titled “Rapp vacation.”  And, when law enforcement interviewed Duren, he claimed that the stolen money used to pay for his home’s landscaping was justified because he was using the money to “create a space that was conducive” to hosting veterans. 

          Approximately a decade ago, Duren was convicted of stealing more than $143,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense.

          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 prosecuted the case.

###

CONCORD – A Concord, New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today in federal court in connection with drug distribution and the illegal possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Wayne Smith, 49, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person. U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for March 10, 2025.

In August 2023, the New Hampshire State Police received information regarding methamphetamine sales in the Concord area. The ensuing investigation led to the defendant’s indictment on federal charges on May 8, 2024.

The New Hampshire State Police and the Concord Police Department led the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Strelzin is prosecuting the case.

###

CONCORD – An indictment has been unsealed charging thirteen defendants in connection with a cross-border drug trafficking conspiracy that used social media messaging apps to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and traded firearms for drugs, U.S Attorney Jane Young announces.

According to court documents, over the course of two days last week, law enforcement officers arrested six of these defendants in New Hampshire and Maine on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Four of the defendants are in state custody in Maine and New Hampshire on unrelated charges. Three defendants have yet to be arrested.

In October 2023, law enforcement received information about a drug distributor based in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts, who conducted high-volume narcotics deals via cell phone text messages and a social media messaging app.  During the investigation, law enforcement identified several phone numbers and two social media accounts controlled by members of the drug trafficking organization (DTO).  Both social media account profiles said they lived in New Hampshire and Maine, implicitly targeting clientele and secondary sources of narcotics supply in those areas.   

From November 9, 2023 to March 7, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted eight purchases of fentanyl, mostly arranged by one of the DTO’s social media accounts. These purchases ranged from 97 to 496 grams of fentanyl. A DTO runner would typically conduct a hand-to-hand drug transaction within Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts. All parties involved understood the purchaser was based in New Hampshire and that the narcotics were intended for redistribution in New Hampshire.  During the investigation, law enforcement also searched premises used by the DTO to store and package various amounts of narcotics. Law enforcement seized more than two and a half kilograms of fentanyl, 250 grams of methamphetamine, and 28 grams of cocaine during these searches.

During the investigation, agents also executed a search warrant on the social media platform servers for the historical records associated with the DTO account that was used to arrange the undercover purchases, and similarly executed a search warrant for the contents of a cell phone that was seized during the enforcement actions. An analysis of these communications indicates that members of the DTO used two different social media accounts and corresponding messaging apps, as well as traditional text messaging, to arrange drug transactions in the Lowell neighborhood where the undercover purchases occurred. These transactions occurred over the course of one year, from April 2023 to April 2024, and involved an estimated total of at least 20 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of methamphetamine, and 200 grams of cocaine, the vast majority of which were sold to dealers based in New Hampshire and Maine for redistribution in their respective drug markets.  In addition, six charged conspirators sought to trade firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns for narcotics.

The following defendants have been indicted in connection with this drug trafficking operation:

1. Pedro Miguel Ravelo Guzman, 31, of Lowell, Massachusetts. Guzman has not yet been arrested.
2. Jacob D. King, 41, of Milton, New Hampshire. King is in federal custody.
3. Riley J. Paletta, 26, of Hudson, New Hampshire. Paletta was released on pretrial supervision.
4. Amanda E. Camera a/k/a Amanda E. Douglass, 39, of Fairfield, Maine. Camera is in Maine state custody on unrelated charges.
5. Benjamin M. Fields, 41, of Laconia, New Hampshire. Fields is in New Hampshire state custody on unrelated charges.
6. John N. Titus, 35, of Farmington, New Hampshire. Titus is in federal custody.
7. Christian F. Gerlach, 52, of Manchester, New Hampshire. Gerlach is in New Hampshire state custody on unrelated charges.
8. Moses J. Losuk, 28, of Portland, Maine. Losuk is in Maine state custody on unrelated charges.
9. Timothy E. Boston a/k/a Timothy Earl Boston II, 38, of Nashua, New Hampshire. Boston is in federal custody.
10. Robert A. Arrington, 38, of Bangor, Maine. Arrington has not yet been arrested.
11. Robert W. Whiteside Jr., 46, of Exeter, New Hampshire.  Whiteside is in federal custody.
12. William L. Wheelock, 34, of Windham, Maine. Wheelock has not yet been arrested.
13. Alexander L. Wilson, 38, of Belfast, Maine.  Wilson is in federal custody.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Jacob D. King, Amanda E. Camera a/k/a Amanda E. Douglass, and Benjamin M. Fields are facing mandatory minimum penalties of 5 years in imprisonment, based on their involvement in the conspiracy. 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 led the investigation. The Hudson Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Strafford County Sheriff’s Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar Vega is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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.

###

CONCORD – A Manchester woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a drug trafficking organization selling drugs in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Maria Camacho, age 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott to 24 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  In May 2024, Camacho pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. She is the seventh of 21 charged defendants in the drug trafficking organization to be sentenced.

“The defendant was an operative in a large Massachusetts-based drug trafficking that was supplying drugs here in New Hampshire, fueling the opioid crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant is now facing the consequences of her actions thanks to the coordinated efforts of federal agencies and local law enforcement.”

“Despite having an alternate source of income, Marie Camacho had no shame about dealing deadly poison in New Hampshire on behalf of a large Massachusetts – based drug trafficking organization,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence holds this drug trafficker accountable for the harm she’s inflicted on both her customers and community. The FBI would like to thank our law enforcement partners for working with us to disrupt sprawling drug trafficking organizations like this one in order to make our streets safer.”

“Fentanyl is causing deaths in record numbers and DEA’s top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison in order to profit and destroy lives,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division.  “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take drugs like fentanyl and cocaine off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

The defendant was part of a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, primarily in Manchester. The organization used a dispatch operation to sell drugs. Customers called a phone line to purchase narcotics and would speak to a dispatcher who would put the defendant in touch with the customer to complete the drug sale. The defendant or her associate would then arrange a meeting place for the drug transaction.

On September 13, 2022, the defendant, working with coconspirators, sold approximately 10 grams of fentanyl, and another 10 grams of fentanyl on October 6, 2022.  On both occasions, the defendant met the customer at an agreed-upon location in Manchester, picked the customer up in a car she was driving, and exchanged fentanyl for money inside of the car.

On November 8, 2022, law enforcement stopped the defendant’s car for a traffic violation. Law enforcement officers executing a subsequent search of the defendant’s car seized $5,610 and roughly 280 grams of fentanyl, 68 grams of crack cocaine, and 24 grams of powder cocaine in a hidden compartment inside the vehicle. Most of the drugs were stored in plastic bags for distribution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case. 

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

###

CONCORD – An Exeter man was sentenced in federal court in connection with the possession of child sexual abuse materials, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Nathan Kohler, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 48 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. Kohler was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution to the victims of his offense.  On July 8, 2024, Kohler pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

“The actions of the defendant fuel the demand for the horrific sexual abuse of children and results in life-long suffering for those victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.  “Those who would seek out on the internet these images documenting the pain and abuse of a child are on notice. They will be found, prosecuted, and incarcerated.”

“Kohler admitted that he had been downloading child sexual abuse material at his home for years. The children depicted in these images were victimized at the time the photos were taken and victimized again every time they are distributed. HSI works tirelessly with our partners to ensure those who trade in these horrific images are brought to justice,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol.

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 as well as sadistic or masochistic conduct.

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.

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. 

###

CONCORD –Two additional men were charged and arrested for attempting to sex traffic a child at a Manchester hotel. On Saturday morning, charging documents were unsealed alleging three initial men were arrested in the same proactive federal and local law enforcement action the evening before, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. 

On November 14 and November 15, 2024, in a proactive law enforcement operation, agents posted and monitored an advertisement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts.The advertisement contained images of what appeared to be two minor females, and a contact phone number. Law enforcement agents used it to communicate with potential sex buyers. Each defendant responded to the advertisement. Once at the hotel, each defendant met with an undercover agent and attempted to sex traffic one of the two fictitious children. 

The following defendants have been charged by criminal complaint with attempted sex trafficking of a minor of whom the final two are newly announced:

1. Stacey Ray Lancaster, age 46, Hudson, New Hampshire. Lancaster was arrested on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and is in federal custody. He will appear in federal court today, Monday, November 18, 2024, at 1:00 pm.
2. Arthur Picanco, age 42, Bradford, Massachusetts. Picanco was arrested on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and he is in federal custody. He will appear in federal court today, Monday, November 18, 2024, at 3:00 pm.
3. Ozeias Luiz Guilherme, age 38, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Guilherme was arrested on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and he is in federal custody. Guilherme will appear in federal court on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 2:30 pm.
4. Sharath Chandra Bollu, age 23, Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Bollu was arrested on Friday, November 15, 2024, and he is in federal custody. He will appear in federal court later today.
5. Koteshwara Raju Jonnagodda, age 24, Chelmsford, Lowell, Massachusetts. Jonnagodda was arrested on Friday, November 15, 2024, and he is in federal custody. He will appear in federal court later today.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Vicinanzo, Kasey Weiland, Anna Krasinski and Georgiana MacDonald are prosecuting the cases.

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. 

Community questions should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Voicemail Line at 603-230-2563.

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.

###

CONCORD – Charging documents were unsealed earlier today alleging three defendants attempted to sex traffic a child at a Manchester hotel, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. These three defendants were arrested as a result of a proactive federal and local law enforcement action.

To date the following defendants have been charged by criminal complaint with attempted sex trafficking of a minor:

1. Stacey Ray Lancaster, age 46, Hudson, New Hampshire. Lancaster is in federal custody and will appear in federal court on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 1:00pm.
2. Arthur Picanco, age 42, Bradford, Massachusetts. Picanco is in federal custody and will appear in federal court on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 3:00pm.
3. Ozeias Luiz Guilherme, age 38, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Guilherme is in federal custody and will appear in federal court on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 2:30pm.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, and the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Vicinanzo, Kasey Weiland, Anna Krasinski and Georgiana MacDonald are prosecuting the cases.

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. 

Community questions should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Voicemail Line at 603-230-2563.

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.

###

CONCORD – A former Keene woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court for stealing almost $500,000 from her former employer, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

      Stephanie Pratt, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 30 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. On August 6, 2024, Pratt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

           “The defendant used her position of trust as an employee to steal nearly a half-million dollars from a small New Hampshire business. Among other items, she used the stolen money to purchase a hot tub and she spent over $5,600 on lavish tickets to watch Tom Brady’s return to Gillette Stadium,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant’s criminal conduct was bold, as she began her fraud only six months after serving a sentence for stealing from a previous employer. The defendant will spend the next two and a half years in federal prison for her deceit along with the financial and emotional turmoil she caused her employer.” 

           “Stephanie Pratt is a greedy, serial fraudster who is being sent to prison for defrauding her employer and siphoning almost half-a-million dollars to live well beyond her means,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence holds Ms. Pratt responsible for her clear disdain for the law and shows how the FBI will not hesitate to go after those who victimize others for their own financial gain.”

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 started stealing shortly after she was released from jail for stealing almost $10,000 from her previous employer. 

Pratt 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. The fraudulent purchases included over $5,600 to purchase NFL tickets for Tom Brady’s return to Gillette stadium in 2021 and over $50,000 on Amazon purchases on items including a hot tub. Pratt also used the stolen money on things like plane tickets and miscellaneous herbs and spices.

When confronted about the stealing, Pratt repeatedly lied to the victim company, such as claiming that the owner had her cash the checks to funnel the money to the owner’s son. However, unbeknownst to Pratt the son had already passed away. Pratt also doctored the victim’s financial records. For example, she edited the company’s credit card statements to delete unauthorized purchases. When asked why there were missing entries in the statements, Pratt claimed that she had simply adjusted the statements to make them easier to read. She also claimed that her misuse of the company credit cards was attributable to her clicking the wrong button at checkout, despite that happening more than 1,000 times. And, when she was fired for stealing, Pratt demanded that the owner’s widow pay her a Christmas bonus.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.  

###

CONCORD – A Marlborough woman was indicted for embezzling almost $200,000 from Monadnock Peer Support (MPS), a mental health non-profit based in Keene, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Christine Allen, a/k/a Christine Nowill, a/k/a Christine Yardley, 50, was indicted on four counts of wire fraud. Allen is scheduled to appear in federal court at a later date.

According to the charging document, Allen was the Executive Director of MPS. As Executive Director, she had full access to the non-profit’s finances, including its accounting records, bank accounts, checkbook, and debit cards. Between January 2021 and May 2023, Allen embezzled almost $200,000 from MPS. She used the stolen money on personal expenses, including Amazon purchases and renovations for her home in Marlborough. The fraudulent purchases included home and kitchen products, gaming equipment, hockey equipment, a meat cleaver, and a food dehydrator.

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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and IRS Criminal Investigations led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen 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.

###

CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty today in federal court to violating his sex offender registration requirements, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Christopher Hodgeman, 34, of Manchester, pleaded guilty to one count of failure to register his online identifiers. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for February 25, 2025.  

On April 13, 2021, Hodgeman pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. As a result of this prior conviction, Hodgeman is required to register as a sex offender and to report any internet or online identifiers, including screen names or user profiles on social media accounts.

In February 2023, Manchester police received a tip that an individual, later identified as Hodgeman, appeared to be exchanging sexually oriented chats online via Xbox with a 15-year-old child. Authorities determined that Hodgman had engaged in these chats using an unregistered online account. Through further investigation, authorities identified at least one additional online account that Hodgeman failed to report on his sex offender registration paperwork.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 5 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 United States Marshals Service and the Manchester 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.

###

CONCORD – An Alton man pleaded guilty in federal court for violating his sex offender registration requirements, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
Chad Amodio, 52, of Alton, pleaded guilty to three counts of failure to register his online identifiers. Chief United States District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for February 24, 2025.

Amodio has a prior federal conviction for traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct. As a result of this prior conviction, Amodio is required to register as a sex offender. Among other things, Amodio is required to report on his sex offender registration paperwork any internet or online identifiers, which includes screen names and user profiles on social media accounts.

In December 2023 and January 2024, Amodio was using an unregistered screen name in an internet chat room for teenagers. Within the chat room, Amodio began communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a 13-year-old girl. Amodio exchanged hundreds of sexual messages with the purported minor. Amodio requested photographs of the purported minor and suggested that they meet in person, even offering to pick her up from school so they could engage in illegal sexual activity. After Amodio was identified, authorities discovered two other online identifiers that Amodio had failed to report.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, at least 5 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 United States Marshals Service led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, the Haverhill Massachusetts Police Department, and the Alton New Hampshire Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kasey Weiland and Matthew Hunter are 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.
 

###

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for distributing fentanyl and for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Thomas Holland, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya McCafferty to 83 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On March 28, 2024, Holland pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with three counts of drug distribution and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

“The defendant placed our community in danger by trafficking fentanyl. That danger was magnified by his illegal possession of a firearm,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant will now serve a lengthy prison sentence, preventing him from endangering others.”

“Drug trafficking, along with the violence that all too often accompanies it, is a serious threat to the safety and security of our communities,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division.  “This is unacceptable and will not be allowed to happen.  The DEA and our local, state and federal partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that commit these crimes.”

On three occasions, between August and September 2023, Holland distributed a total of 829 grams of fentanyl to a confidential source. When the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested him for his conduct, he was in possession of a 9 mm handgun. The defendant is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske is prosecuting the case. 

###

Fourteen Defendants Indicted in Connection with a Lawrence-Based
Drug Trafficking Organization

CONCORD – Fourteen defendants have been indicted and eleven have been arrested in connection with a Lawrence-based organization trafficking fentanyl in New Hampshire, U.S Attorney Jane Young announces.

Beginning on October 23, 2024, through October 31, 2024, law enforcement officers arrested the defendants in New Hampshire and Massachusetts on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, namely, fentanyl. The defendants began appearing in federal court last week.

The following defendants have been indicted in connection with this drug trafficking organization:

1. Franly Herrera-Herrera, age 24, of Methuen, MA; he is in federal custody.
2. Yoefferman Robles Soto, age 22, of Boston, MA; he is in federal custody.
3. Jose Herrera, age 22, of Lawrence, MA; he is in federal custody.
4. Daniel Mendez Ubri, age 25, of Lawrence, MA; he was released on conditions of supervision.
5. Wayestar Concepcion, age 55, of Lawrence, MA; he is in federal custody.
6. Andri Pimental Arias, age 21, of Lawrence, MA; he is in federal custody.
7. Alexander German, age 27, of Lawrence, MA; he is in federal custody.
8. Joseph Post, age 36, of Billerica, MA; he is in state custody on unrelated charges.
9. Bruce Wells, age 36, of Colebrook; he is in federal custody.
10. Brexton Boudle, age 41, of Colebrook; he is in federal custody.
11. Michael Savard, age 39, of Strafford; he is in federal custody.
12. Trenton Murphy, age 26, of Kittery, ME; he is in federal custody.
13. Jade Markham, age 27, of Concord; she has not yet been arrested.
14. Hope Cassin, age 33, of Pembroke; she has not yet been arrested.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Franly Herrera-Herrera and Yoefferman Robles Soto are facing mandatory minimum penalties of 10 years imprisonment based on their involvement in the conspiracy. 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 led the investigation. The Colebrook Police Department, the Berlin Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Manchester Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the Hudson Police Department, the Salem Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, the Berwick, ME Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Police Department, the Lawrence Police Department, and the Methuen Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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.

###

CONCORD – A Northfield man pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with his attempt to receive two packages of methamphetamine through the United States Postal Service, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Joseph Crawford, 33, pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for February 24, 2025.

On July 5 and July 19, 2023, the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”) flagged suspicious packages addressed to Joseph Crawford at an address in Northfield, New Hampshire, sent from California.  USPIS obtained search warrants for both packages. The searches revealed a total of more than two pounds of methamphetamine.

The charging statute provides a maximum prison term of 20 years, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and at least 3 years 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.

The USPIS Boston Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The New Hampshire State Police, Claremont Police Department, and the Lebanon Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Heather A. Cherniske prosecuted the case.

###

CONCORD – A Dominican national and former resident of Lawrence, Massachusetts was sentenced today in federal court in Concord for leading a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Marbin Cruz-Gonzalez, 37, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Steven McAuliffe to 204 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. On January 4, 2023, Cruz-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base, and cocaine. He has been incarcerated since he was arrested on this case in February of 2022. 

“For a time, Marbin Cruz-Gonzalez was the premier narcotics distributor in this region,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “While he largely avoided direct contact with the drugs, he was running the drug trafficking business behind the scenes. Today's lengthy sentence demonstrates that high-level drug traffickers cannot shield their identities to escape responsibility by directing subordinates to deal drugs onto the streets of our communities.”

“DEA is committed to investigating individuals like Mr. Cruz-Gonzalez who are responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division.  “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Cruz-Gonzalez accountable for his crimes but serves as a warning to those traffickers who are fueling the opioid epidemic with deadly drugs in order to profit and destroy people’s lives.  DEA’s top priority will continue to be combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county, state and federal partners to bring to justice anyone who distributes this poison.”

Cruz-Gonzalez was the leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Lawrence that distributed drugs via a network of sub-distributors throughout the northern New England region, including New Hampshire. His organization used at least 20 different phone numbers to arrange transactions with sub-distributors, and he used at least 13 different employees to operate his illegal enterprise. He is the final defendant to be sentenced in this multi-year investigation. In related cases in the District of New Hampshire, the following sentences have already been imposed:

1. Jonathan Cruz-Marte, sentenced on December 20, 2023 to 96 months in federal prison.
2. Enver Morales-Hoyos, sentenced on September 20, 2021 to 72 months in federal prison.
3. Geoffrey Morse, sentenced on April 14, 2022 to 72 months in federal prison.
4. Colby Mann, sentenced on July 11, 2022 to 72 months in federal prison.
5. Phat Tay, sentenced on May 26, 2021 to 70 months in federal prison.
6. Alysha DeJesus, sentenced on July 14, 2020 to 65 months in federal prison.
7. Adrian Maas, sentenced on January 1, 2021 to 60 months in federal prison.
8. Eddil Ortez, sentenced on October 1, 2020 to 57 months in federal prison.
9. Elijah Cox, sentenced on April 16, 2021 to 36 months in federal prison.
10. Mayerlin Urena, sentenced on January 3, 2024 to 27 months in federal prison.
11. Robert Twombly, sentenced on August 20, 2020 to 24 months in federal prison.
12. Christian Muniz-Perkins, sentenced on February 18, 2021 to 23 months in federal prison.
13. Jeffrey Roy, sentenced on November 17, 2021 to 20 months in federal prison.
14. James Henry, sentenced on October 15, 2020 to 13 months in federal prison.
15. Carlos Morales-Hoyos, sentenced on October 26, 2022 to 10 months in federal prison.
16. Cortny Reichert, sentenced on December 8, 2021 to 9 months in federal prison.
17. Amy Dame, sentenced on March 18, 2021 to 8 months in federal prison.
18. Timothy Wheeler, sentenced on July 19, 2021 to 4 months in federal prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Manchester Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, and the Massachusetts State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Jarad Hodes, Deputy Criminal Chief Georgiana MacDonald, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Aframe prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

###

CONCORD – An Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) has been designated as the District of New Hampshire’s Election Officer to lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming general election on November 5, 2024, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

The Assistant United States Attorney will oversee the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud.

“While there is a designated Election Officer, the entire United States Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting a free and fair election. Last year, a Civil Rights Assistant U.S. Attorney was appointed to ensure every citizen can live their lives free of discrimination, including when voting,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young. “The United States Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process, and as always, will work with our law enforcement partners to combat threats of violence directed at public servants.”

Federal law protects against crimes such as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the District’s Election Officer will be available in New Hampshire while the polls are open. The District’s Election Officer can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (603) 406-1242.

In addition, the FBI field office will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 857-386-2000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

Please note, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

###

CONCORD – A Nashua man and a Manchester man were sentenced today in federal court for separate firearms offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

“Two unrelated felons, Mr. Reidy and Mr. Maker, were each a danger to their respective communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Both of these defendants were distributing narcotics while illegally owning weapons and ammunition, which is always a perilous combination. Mr. Reidy also put law enforcement officers in harm’s way by engaging in a three-hour standoff with the Nashua Police Department to conceal his three ghost guns, ammunition, and an AR-style rifle underneath the insulation in his attic. Mr. Maker attempted to flee from Manchester police officers at the time of his arrest. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not stand by and allow dangerous individuals to possess deadly weapons. As demonstrated by today’s sentencings, this office will investigate and prosecute convicted felons in possession of firearms with the goal of removing them from the public in a concerted effort to make our communities safer.”

“ATF is firmly committed to removing illegal drugs, firearms, and ghost guns from the streets of New Hampshire, particularly from the hands of convicted felons,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division. “By dismantling trafficking networks, targeting the proliferation of untraceable ghost guns, and collaborating with our local, state, and federal partners, we aim to create safer communities and protect citizens from the harm associated with these illegal activities.”

Robert Reidy, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 87 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  In July 2024, Robert Reidy pleaded guilty to one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person and one count of possession of unregistered firearms.

In October 2023, the Nashua Police Department learned that Reidy was selling drugs out of his home in Nashua. In October and November 2023, Reidy allegedly engaged in three controlled purchases of methamphetamine. During these alleged controlled purchases, law enforcement used audio and video recording, which captured images of firearms within the defendant’s bedroom. Reidy was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a prior felony conviction for Escape from a Penal Institution in 2017.

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.  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 also did not register the short-barreled rifle or silencer as required by the National Firearm Act.

Reidy’s alleged distribution of methamphetamine is pending in state court.

Nashua Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. 

Monytung Maker, a/k/a “MoSavage,” 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 12 months and a day in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  In July 2024, Monytung Maker pleaded guilty to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

In May, June, and July 2023, Maker allegedly sold cocaine to a confidential informant on several occasions. On or about August 2, 2023, officers from the Manchester Police Department executed a search warrant at Maker’s Manchester apartment and found a backpack in Maker’s bedroom containing his bank cards and a 9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition. Maker was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition by virtue of a 2019 felony conviction for unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County.

Maker’s alleged distribution of cocaine is pending in state court.

The Manchester Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany Scanlon prosecuted both cases. 

These cases are 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.

###

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court for a child exploitation offense, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Philip Longeway, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 15 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. On June 20, 2024, Longeway pleaded guilty to access with intent to view child pornography.

“This defendant has demonstrated time and again that he is a dangerous sexual predator,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s sentence ensures that the community will be protected from Mr. Longeway for the next 15 years. Prosecuting offenders of child exploitation has been a focus for this office, and we will continue to expend every resource available to protect our children from harm.”

“Longeway is a repeat sex offender who targets children. Over and over, he’s been caught but offends again. Today's sentence takes him off the streets and away from children for many, many years,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

Longeway is a sex offender based on a 2006 conviction for travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. While on federal supervised release in connection with that case, Longeway’s internet activity was monitored using software, which captured chat communications between Longeway and a fifteen-year-old minor, “John Doe.” In the chats, John Doe stated that he was fifteen years old. The monitoring software also captured screenshots of John Doe performing sexual acts for Longeway during a Zoom video call on two separate occasions. John Doe was later identified as a fifteen-year-old minor in New Jersey. In addition to his 2006 conviction, Longeway also had prior convictions for contributing to the delinquency of a child, felonious sexual assault, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Homeland Security Investigations 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.

###

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced in federal court for drug and firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Victor Rosario, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 100 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. On June 25, 2024, Rosario pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

“The defendant, a convicted felon, was undeterred from committing new crimes by a prior imprisonment, instead he trafficked deadly drugs and an assault rifle with an obliterated serial number” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Today’s lengthy sentence should serve as a notice to repeat offenders that law enforcement will be relentless in taking drugs, guns and criminals off the streets.”

“Guns and drugs take far too many lives in our communities, and Victor Rosario was contributing to the devastating impact of both here in New Hampshire,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Today’s sentence holds this convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms accountable for selling an AK-47 with an obliterated serial number, along with deadly fentanyl to a confidential informant.  While Mr. Rosario is sitting behind bars, the FBI will continue to work with our partners to remove dangerous criminals like him from our streets.”

Between December 2023 and January 2024, Rosario sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on four occasions.  On the fourth occasion, Rosario also sold the confidential informant an AK-style rifle with an obliterated serial number.  Authorities executed search warrants on Rosario’s home, vehicle, and person, and recovered additional cocaine and fentanyl. In total, Rosario possessed and/or distributed over a kilogram each of cocaine and fentanyl.  Rosario was on federal supervised release at the time of his offense. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender Task Force and the Manchester Police Anti-Crime Unit led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police Narcotics Investigations Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kasey Weiland and Matthew Hunter are prosecuting the case. 

###

CONCORD – Ten defendants have been indicted in connection with a Methuen and Lawrence-based organization trafficking narcotics to New Hampshire, U.S Attorney Jane Young announces.

Today, law enforcement officers arrested seven defendants in New Hampshire and Massachusetts on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and crack cocaine. The defendants are scheduled to appear in federal court at various times this week and next week.

The following defendants have been indicted in connection with this drug trafficking organization:

1. Michael Martinez, age 33, of the Dominican Republic; he has not yet been arrested.
2. Donaida Gonzalez, aka Yijana Rodriguez, age 52, of Methuen, MA; she is in custody.
3. Diana Bautista-Arias, aka Alba Cruz-Solano, age 43, of Lawrence, MA; she is in custody.
4. Eddy Balbuena-Gomez, age 30, of Lawrence, MA; he is in custody.
5. Redondo Dore, age 28, of Berlin, NH; he is in custody.
6. Trevor Mackenzie, age 33, of Rochester, NH; he is in custody.
7. Katie Curtis, age 38, of Rochester, NH; she is in custody.
8. Tabitha O’Brien, age 44, of Rochester, NH; she is in custody.
9. Craig Grant, age 41, of Somersworth, NH; he has not yet been arrested.
10. Jamie Bonner, age 42, of Somersworth, NH; she has not yet been arrested.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Michael Martinez and Redondo Dore are facing mandatory minimum penalties of 10 years based on their involvement in the conspiracy. Katie Curtis is also facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years based on her involvement in the conspiracy. 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. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshal Service, the Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, the Keene Police Department, the Salem Police Department, the Berlin Police Department, the Londonderry Police Department, the Nashua Police Department, the Concord Police Department, the New Hampshire State Police, the Lawrence Police Department, and the Methuen Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande and Jarad Hodes are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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.

###

CONCORD – A former New York man pleaded guilty in federal court to traveling to New Hampshire to sexually assault a child survivor, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Blake Hall, 21, formerly of New York, pleaded guilty to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.  U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled sentencing for January 14, 2025.

In July of 2022, Hall traveled from his then-home in New York to New Hampshire to meet a 12-year-old girl with whom he had been corresponding on social media. Hall transported the child from New Hampshire to his home in New York, where he engaged her in illegal sexual activity. He also took sexually explicit photographs of the child. Hall returned her home to New Hampshire the following day.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least 5 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.

Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the New Hampshire State Police, the Troy New Hampshire Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations- Albany. 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.

###

CONCORD – After a 2-week trial, a Windham man was convicted by a federal petit jury, for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with his ownership of an information technology (IT) company that contracted with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (United Way) while being employed by United Way, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Imran Alrai, 50, was convicted of 12 counts of wire fraud and 6 counts of money laundering. United States District Court Judge Joseph Laplante ordered Alrai detained pending sentencing, which is scheduled for January 17, 2025.

“The jury’s swift verdicts in this case underscore the overwhelming evidence presented at trial of Mr. Alrai’s guilt,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “Over the past two weeks, prosecutors skillfully untangled the web of the defendant’s deceit, highlighting for the jury how he used his position of trust to rig and maintain a major contract with United Way in favor of a company he owned and controlled. The United Way lost millions to the defendant – we hope the jury’s verdicts in this case is a step forward for their community.”

“Imran Alrai abused his position of trust with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley to steal millions of dollars to which he knew he wasn’t entitled, money that was intended to help the less fortunate in our area. Instead, he used it to pay off his house, and increase his personal wealth,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The FBI is grateful for the jury’s swift verdict, and we will not hesitate to investigate and bring to justice anyone engaged in such egregious financial fraud.”

Between 2012 and June 2018, Alrai, an IT professional at the United Way, obtained approximately $6.7 million in payments for IT services supposedly provided to United Way by an independent outside contractor, DigitalNet Technology Solutions, Inc. Alrai misrepresented material facts about DigitalNet and fraudulently concealed that he owned and controlled DigitalNet. In early 2013, Alrai rigged the bidding process for a major contract to provide managed IT services at the United Way so that DigitalNet was chosen. Alrai then gave fake references and false information about DigitalNet to United Way.

For the next five years, while serving as United Way’s Vice President for IT Services, Alrai steered additional IT work to DigitalNet, so that his company soon became United Way’s second-largest outside vendor, receiving more than $1 million annually. Alrai concealed his connection with DigitalNet from his colleagues. He routinely sent emails with attached invoices from a fictitious person to himself at United Way.

After the fraud came to light, in June 2018, officials at the United Way confronted Alrai and terminated him. Federal agents executed search and seizure warrants and seized incriminating documents and data from Alrai’s home office in Windham, as well as approximately $2.2 million in fraud proceeds in bank and investment accounts. During the scheme, Alrai wired $1.2 million in fraud proceeds to a DigitalNet bank account in Lahore, Pakistan. 

According to expert testimony at the trial, United Way lost at least $3.5 million as a result of DigitalNet’s excessive billing, duplicate billing, and billing for services not delivered. 

Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. The Internal Revenue Service provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles L. Rombeau and John J. Kennedy are prosecuting the case.

CONCORD – A former Sanbornton man was sentenced today in federal court for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Timothy Ryan, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe to 87 months in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release. In December 2022, Ryan was charged with one count of possession of CSAM. In November 2023, while Ryan was on pre-trial release for this original federal CSAM charge, he reoffended and was subsequently charged with another count of possession of CSAM. On June 27, 2024, Ryan pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with two counts of possession of CSAM.

“The defendant was caught possessing thousands of images depicting child sexual abuse – not once – but twice. His contempt for the conditions of his pre-trial release, lack of remorse, and brazen disregard for accountability is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant will now serve a lengthy prison sentence, preventing him from causing additional harm to child survivors of sexual abuse.”

“Despite being arrested by federal agents for possessing child sexual abuse material, Ryan continued to access CSAM while out on bond, resulting in additional federal charges. Now, he’ll be spending the next several years in federal prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “HSI remains committed to working with our partners to hold offenders like Ryan to account.”

“Today’s sentencing holds the defendant accountable for the despicable act of possessing child sexual abuse material,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their collaboration in pursuing justice in this case.”

Ryan was identified as a top offender in the state of New Hampshire for supplying CSAM through a peer-to-peer file-sharing network. Investigators traced the illicit internet activity to his residence and executed a federal search warrant to seize and search his electronic devices on December 13, 2022.  Forensic examination of Ryan’s cell phone revealed the presence of approximately 2,600 files of apparent CSAM.  Following this search, he was charged by complaint, and subsequently by information, with one count of possession of CSAM.

In November 2023, while Ryan was on bond for his 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 same peer-to-peer file-sharing 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, which resulted in the seizure of more electronic devices containing hundreds of images of CSAM. Based on this new information, authorities brought a second charge against Ryan.

Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Veteran’s 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, the Sanbornton Police Department, and the U.S. Veteran’s 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.

###

CONCORD – A Nashua man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing over 1,100 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Brian Eric Hynes, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 53 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.  On May 6, 2024, Hynes pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. 

“The defendant exacerbated the pain and suffering of countless child survivors by possessing images of their abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “He then tried to cover up his crime by deleting suspected CSAM when he was confronted by law enforcement. Today’s sentence serves as a warning to those who think that applications (apps) and websites will give them enough anonymity to continue victimizing children. Law enforcement will identify you, investigate you, and prosecute you, and you will be incarcerated for your role in the child exploitation epidemic.”

“Hynes possessed over a thousand images, each capturing the pain and trauma of a child. The possession and demand for these images perpetuates that pain and today’s sentence shows the consequences—federal prison time,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “HSI continues to work alongside our partners to detect and bring to justice predators who seek out child sexual abuse material.”

In August 2021, law enforcement reviewed chat rooms being used to exchange CSAM on an app called Viber.  Law enforcement learned that an individual with the username “John ketg” was present in chat rooms where CSAM was posted and traced the username back to the defendant. In February 2022, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s electronic devices.  When executing the warrant, law enforcement saw the defendant sitting in his vehicle.  The defendant initially did not comply with law enforcement’s commands to exit the vehicle and was seen swiping up on his phone.  Although the defendant eventually exited the vehicle, he continued to swipe the phone.  Officers subdued the defendant and secured the phone.  The recently used video player application on his phone displayed CSAM.  A forensic examination of the phone revealed approximately 1,150 CSAM images, primarily depicting young girls under 10 years old.  The web history further showed that the defendant had visited websites associated with CSAM, and he had saved bookmarks to websites with phrases and words indicative of CSAM.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Nashua Police Department led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen 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.

###

CONCORD – A Northfield woman pleaded guilty today in federal court for diverting fentanyl from an ICU patient at Concord Hospital, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Lisa Richardson, 48, pleaded guilty to one count of Tampering with Consumer Products. U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025.

On December 30, 2022, while working as a nurse at Concord Hospital, Richardson removed a quantity of fentanyl from an intravenous line bag inserted in an Intensive Care Unit patient. She then replaced the fentanyl with saline. The defendant was not assigned to the patient’s care as part of her duties as a nurse.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 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 Food & Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly led this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the cases.

Law enforcement in the District of New Hampshire has utilized resources to enforce federal laws in connection with the diversion of dangerous narcotics by medical professionals. In July 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office settled a $300,000 civil action with Catholic Medical Center to resolve allegations they violated the Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”), by failing to keep accurate records of controlled substances, which enabled a nurse anesthetist to steal hundreds of doses of fentanyl over the course of a year. In June 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office settled a $2 million civil action with Cheshire Medical Center for their failure to fulfill obligations under the CSA, which enabled a nurse to steal twenty-three intravenous bags of fentanyl solution from an automatic medication dispensing machine. Also in June 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office settled a $300,000 civil action with PillPack by Amazon, a pharmacy, to resolve allegations that they violated the CSA, which risked the division of drugs that are often abused in our communities. 

###

CONCORD – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court for drug trafficking in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Carlos Alejandro Chevalier Santos, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott to 36 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In June 2024, Chevalier Santos pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and two counts of distributing controlled substances.  Charges are still pending against Santos’ four co-conspirators, Jose Luis Guerrero Nunez, Eddy Mendez Carmona, Juan Carlos De Los Santos Romero, and Luis Guerrero Cabral.

“Methamphetamine and fentanyl destroy lives and fuel violence in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.  “Law enforcement in New Hampshire will continue to be relentless in the pursuit to identify individuals participating in drug trafficking at every layer of the supply chain.”

“DEA stands committed to keeping highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl 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. Chevalier Santos 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.”

Santos was part of a Methuen-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Seacoast area. Santos was identified as a “runner,” or a person who makes drug deliveries on behalf of the organization. In early 2024, Santos made at least two deliveries of controlled substances to undercover law enforcement officers, including the delivery of a pound of methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. The Seabrook Police Department, Hampton Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Methuen Police Department, and the New Hampshire State Police provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kasey Weiland and Heather Cherniske are prosecuting the case.  

###

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.

###

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.  

###

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.  

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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).

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.  

###