Littleton Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms

            CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Ian Chase, 28, of Littleton, New Hampshire was sentenced to serve 60 months in federal prison for unlawfully manufacturing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

            Court documents and statements in court showed that on April 8, 2016, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Chase at his former residence located in Bethlehem after discovering Chase was actively manufacturing methamphetamine in a shed located on the property.  At the time of his arrest, Chase was in possession of a .25 caliber pistol.  A search of the property resulted in the seizure of 77.98 grams of methamphetamine, five additional firearms, and numerous chemicals Chase utilized to manufacture methamphetamine.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, Chase forfeited the firearms to the United States.

            Chase was arrested on July 21, 2016 and pleaded guilty to the charges on December 1, 2016.

            “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to target individuals who are manufacturing illegal drugs in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “While those who suffer from addiction need access to treatment, those who seek to manufacture methamphetamine and other deadly drugs will be prosecuted aggressively. 

            “This sentence reflects DEA’s strong commitment to bring to justice those that manufacture methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson.  “DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug off the streets of New Hampshire.  This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to aggressively pursue anyone who manufactures this poison.”

            The investigation was conducted by the: (1) DEA; (2) New Hampshire Attorney General’s Drug Task Force; (3) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; (4) Littleton Police Department; and (5) Bethlehem Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

###