CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley
announced today that Justin Gauthier, 39, formerly of Northfield, New
Hampshire, has been indicted on charges that he unlawfully possessed
methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil with the intent to
distribute those controlled substances and for possession of firearms in
furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the indictment, on August 5, 2016, Gauthier
unlawfully possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of
methamphetamine and fentanyl. The indictment also charges that on March 16,
2017, Gauthier possessed with the intent to distribute quantities of
methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil. Gauthier is further charged
in the indictment with possession of seven firearms in relation to a drug
trafficking crime.
Gauthier is scheduled for an arraignment in federal court at
3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6, 2017.
Gauthier faces a possible maximum sentence of twenty years
on the drug trafficking charges and a mandatory minimum five- year sentence for
the firearms, which must be served consecutively to any term of imprisonment
imposed for the drug charges.
“The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals
engaged in drug trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the
United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local,
state and federal level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Our state already
has experienced far too many deaths as a result of drug overdoses. The recent
presence of carfentanil - a drug that the DEA has stated is a hundred times
more powerful than fentanyl - has the potential to result in an even greater
number of overdose deaths here in New Hampshire. It presents an unprecedented
public safety concern for law enforcement and first responders. The United
States Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly with our law
enforcement partners to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing
these dangerous drugs in our state.”
"ATF will continue to work with our federal, state and
local law enforcement counterparts, to vigorously combat drug traffickers and
the threat they pose to our citizens by illegally possessing firearms in
furtherance of their illegal drug trade", said Lawrence J. Panetta; Acting
Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division.
This case is being investigated by the New Hampshire State
Police, Narcotics Investigation Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives and the Tilton and Northfield, New Hampshire Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole
Davis.
Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations
and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be
innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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