Laconia Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Federal Prison for the Unlawful Possession of Firearms and the Unlawful Possession of Unregistered Firearms

CONCORD – A Laconia man was sentenced today in federal court for firearms offenses, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

Joshua McLean, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante to 87 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release. In March 2025, McLean pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of firearms and ammunitions by a prohibited person and two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.

“As a convicted felon, the defendant was prohibited from owning any firearms, yet he chose to surround himself with unregistered and illegal deadly weapons,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. “His drug trafficking activity only deepened the threat he posed. This case underscores our commitment to removing armed, prohibited individuals from our communities before they can do greater harm.”

“The sentence imposed reflects the seriousness of the offense,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Riordan of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s Boston Division. “The defendant’s possession of firearms while trafficking drugs jeopardizes public safety and is compounded by the trafficking of firearms with obliterated serial numbers which only serve illicit purposes.”

According to the court documents and statements made in court, McLean sold six firearms to an undercover officer knowing that some had obliterated serial numbers, and one was a sawed-off shotgun. When law enforcement searched his home, they found another gun, ammunition, and distribution quantities of illegal drugs.  McLean was legally prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a previous felony drug conviction.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Violent Crime Task Force led the investigation. The Laconia, Manchester, and Tilton Police Departments provided valuable assistance with the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.

###