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15 Individuals Arrested on Federal Drug

Trafficking and Firearms Charges

CONCORD, N.H – Brian D. Boyle Spe- • James Nesbitt, 42, Rochester, NH- “This coordinated sweep serves notice
cial Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New conspiracy to possess with the in- once again of law enforcement’s deter-
England Division and United States Attor- tent to distribute, and to distribute, mination to disrupt the sale of fentanyl,
ney Scott W. Murray announced today that fentanyl and methamphetamine; methamphetamine and other dangerous
15 individuals were arrested on federal drugs in New Hampshire” said U.S. At-
drug trafficking and firearm offenses. The • Haley Hansler, 32, Rochester, NH- torney Murray. “Drug trafficking has
arrests are the culmination of a year-long conspiracy to possess with the in- caused grave damage in Strafford Coun-
investigation into drug trafficking in and tent to distribute and to distribute ty and throughout our state. Accord-
around the Rochester, Farmington, Somer- fentanyl and methamphetamine; ingly, we will continue to work closely
sworth, and Dover areas of New Hamp- • William McKay, 45, Rochester, with our law enforcement partners to
shire by the Drug Enforcement Adminis- NH- conspiracy to possess with the arrest and prosecute those responsible.
tration (DEA) in coordination with federal, intent to distribute and to distribute In order to keep the public safe from
state and local authorities in New Hamp- fentanyl and methamphetamine; violent crime, we will also aggressive-
shire and Maine. The following individ- ly target those who unlawfully possess
uals were arrested and charged as follows: • Angel Wilson, 33, Rochester, NH – firearms. These prosecutions are an ex-
possession of fentanyl with the in- ample of how federal, state, and local
• Thomas Blanchette, 42, Rochester, tent to distribute; law enforcement agencies can work to-
NH - conspiracy to possess with gether to keep the Granite State safe.”
the intent to distribute 40 grams or • Stephanie Joy, 42, Rochester, NH
more of fentanyl; - conspiracy to possess with the in- “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service,

• Christopher Stearns, 46, Rochester, tent to distribute 40 grams or more along with our federal and state law
enforcement partners, are committed
of fentanyl;
NH - conspiracy to possess with to providing the resources necessary to
the intent to distribute 40 grams or • Joshua George, 37, Somersworth, combat drug trafficking in our commu-
more of fentanyl; NH - conspiracy to possess with nities,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Ser-
the intent to distribute, and to dis- vice’s Inspector in Charge, Joseph W.
• Amy Patch, 37, Rochester, NH - tribute, fentanyl; and
conspiracy to possess with the in- Cronin of the Boston Division. “These
tent to distribute 40 grams or more • Dean Smoronk, 57, Farmington, arrests should send a clear message that
of fentanyl; NH – possession of a firearm by a drugs, firearms, and violence will not be
prohibited person and possession of tolerated. Fentanyl, and other highly
• Nicholas Barton, 34, Rochester, NH a stolen firearm. addictive drugs, are destroying fami-
- conspiracy to possess with the in- lies across the country. U.S. Postal In-
tent to distribute 40 grams or more Most of the defendants were arrested on spection Service will continue to work
of fentanyl; Thursday, December 20, 2018, and ap- diligently to rid the U.S. Mail of illegal
peared in court that day. Joshua George drugs and their proceeds.”
• Randy Stevens, 28, Farmington, first appeared in federal court on Nov.
NH - conspiracy to possess with 9, 2018. These cases were investigated by the
the intent to distribute 40 grams or DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad; the
more of fentanyl; “The arrests today reflect DEA’s New Hampshire State Police; the Unit-
strong commitment to bring to jus- ed States Postal Inspection Service; the
• Kyle Forest, 25, Rochester, NH- tice those who distribute these dan- United States Marshals Service; the
conspiracy to possess with the in- gerous drugs to our citizens,” said Strafford County Drug Task Force; the
tent to distribute 40 grams or more DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Maine State Police; and the Dover (NH)
of fentanyl; D. Boyle. “As we all know, drug traf- Police Department.
• Derek Rand, 30, Farmington, NH, ficking, along with the gun and phys- 15 Individuals arrested on federal drug
- conspiracy to possess with the in- ical violence that often accompanies trafficking and firearms charges. (2018,
tent to distribute, and to distribute, it, ravages the very foundation of our December 18). Retrieved January 22,
fentanyl; families and communities. This in- 2019, from https://www.dea.gov/press-re-
vestigation demonstrates the strength leases/2018/12/20/15-individuals-ar-
• Sasha Rand, 33, Farmington, NH and continued commitment of our lo- rested-federal-drug-trafficking-and-fire-
- conspiracy to possess with the in- cal, state and federal law enforcement arms-charges
tent to distribute and to distribute partners.”
fentanyl;

4 — NARCOTIC OFFICERS MAGAZINE™ FEBRUARY 2019