Manchester Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

            CONCORD - Jonathan Sargent, 39, of Manchester, was sentenced on Tuesday to 156 months in federal prison for possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 22, 2019, Manchester Police detectives and Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at Sargent’s apartment and arrested him on a warrant for distributing controlled substances.  The search revealed several assault-style rifles, a handgun, ammunition, cash, and other items consistent with drug trafficking.  Law enforcement officers also seized approximately 850 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 56 grams of fentanyl from Sargent’s apartment.     

            Sargent previously pleaded guilty on October 20, 2021.  As part of his plea, Sargent agreed to forfeit multiple firearms that were in his possession at the time of his arrest. 

            “This case demonstrates the danger that armed drug traffickers pose to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Farley.  “Not only was this defendant distributing significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, but he also possessed multiple guns to further his drug trafficking activities.  These firearms could have been used to endanger innocent people.  Thanks to excellent law enforcement work, this armed drug dealer will spend 13 years in prison and will no longer be a threat to the citizens of Manchester.”

            This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Manchester Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck handled the forfeiture aspects of this case.

            This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua. 

 ###