Pembroke Woman Sentenced to 72 Months for Participating in Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

              CONCORD - Katie Jo Waters, 29, of Pembroke, was sentenced on Tuesday to 72 months in federal prison for participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, between January of 2018 and May of 2018, Waters received multiple packages of methamphetamine mailed by persons in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Over the same period, to pay for the drugs, Waters made 11 separate money transfers, totaling $18,700, to suppliers in Las Vegas.  Postal Inspectors intercepted two of the mailed packages destined for the defendant’s address and seized a total of more than one pound of nearly pure methamphetamine.  On April 11, 2018, a New Hampshire State Trooper stopped Waters and another individual in Canterbury, New Hampshire, and eventually seized more than 38 grams of methamphetamine and a Sig Sauer 9 mm. pistol from the car she was driving.  Waters was arrested on federal charges on May 9, 2018.   

             Waters previously pleaded guilty on July 24, 2018.

            “Highly pure methamphetamine has been appearing with greater frequency in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “This dangerous drug presents a serious and growing threat to public health and safety.  In order to deter traffickers, we will remain vigilant in identifying, prosecuting, and incarcerating those who attempt to distribute methamphetamine in the Granite State.”

            “Using the U.S. Mail to traffic illegal narcotics, such as methamphetamine, will not be tolerated,” said Inspector in Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division.  “We will continue to work diligently to investigate those who engage in similar conduct, focusing our efforts on keeping our customers and the U.S. Mail safe.”

            “DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s sentence not only holds Ms. Waters accountable for her crimes but serves as a warning that DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to keep this highly addictive drug out of the Granite State.”

            This matter was investigated by the DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the New Hampshire State Police.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John S. Davis.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley previously participated in this prosecution.

            This case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).  The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.  

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