Effingham Man Sentenced To 84 Months For Fentanyl Trafficking And Firearm Crimes

          CONCORD – Justin English, 35, of Effingham, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for participating in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

          According to court documents and statements made in court, between early 2018 and October 4, 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force conducted an investigation into English’s fentanyl trafficking in Effingham and York, Maine.  On October 4, 2018, the FBI executed a search warrant on English’s residence, arrested English, and seized approximately 200 grams of fentanyl, currency, collectible coins, and four firearms.  English also forfeited $28,386 in cash and $45,738 in collectible coins to the United States. The FBI previously administratively forfeited the firearms.

          English previously pleaded guilty on September 19, 2019.

          “Removing armed fentanyl dealers from society makes the Granite State a safer place,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Fentanyl is a deadly drug that endangers the general public. The risk is compounded when the drug dealer is armed. In order to maintain public safety, we will make every effort to obtain substantial prison sentences for armed drug dealers.”

          "It is a rewarding day for the FBI when a dangerously armed drug pusher like Justin English and the fentanyl he was trafficking from his home are taken off the street," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. "The town of Effingham, and law enforcement, are surely safer without him around, considering our agents located a loaded UZI pistol, two 12-gauge shotguns, and a partially loaded assault-style rifle while searching his residence. He'll now pay the price for making the link we too often see between drugs and guns."

          This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Southern Maine Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the York, Maine County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Effingham, New Hampshire Police Department and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Davis.