Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Conspiracy

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Leslie Aberle, 33, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.

          According to documents that were filed in court, on October 16, 2015, Aberle drove Mark Ross and Eve Tarmey to Lawrence, Massachusetts, in order to obtain a quantity of heroin. Ross obtained the drugs from a source in Lawrence while Aberle and Tarmey waited in Aberle’s car. After Ross acquired the drugs, the three returned to the Riviera Motel. Ross and Jazzmyn Rood also used a portion of the drugs and Ross provided a portion to Tarmey. The following morning, Tarmey was found dead in the motel room. The New Hampshire Medical Examiner later found that Ms. Tarmey died of acute fentanyl intoxication.

          “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to combat the distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous drugs,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Fentanyl and other opioids are responsible for the deaths of far too many citizens of the Granite State. We will continue to work each day with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those who are distributing these drugs in New Hampshire.”

          “Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “Fentanyl and heroin are causing overdose deaths across the Granite State in record numbers, and DEA is committed to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes these poisons in order to profit and destroy people’s lives. This investigation demonstrates the strength and continued commitment of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.”

          A sentencing hearing is set for August 22, 2017. Under the terms of a plea agreement, both parties are recommending a sentence of 60 months in prison.

          The case was investigated by the Rochester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.

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