Penacook Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Bryan Franklin, 42, formerly of Penacook, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

          According to court documents and statements made in court proceedings, on September 24, 2016, the Tilton, New Hampshire Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Franklin that was found to contain multiple needles, cut plastic baggies, and other items associated with drug use. A subsequent search of another vehicle owned by Franklin resulted in the seizure of a lock box that contained approximately $15,958 in cash, approximately 750 grams of fentanyl, assorted prescription pills, a quantity of methamphetamine, a thumb drive, and two digital scales. Additionally, a backpack in the vehicle contained a tin box that contained an additional quantity of fentanyl, a drug ledger, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported to law enforcement as stolen. Franklin pleaded guilty to the charges that resulted from this investigation on May 12, 2017.

          “The aggressive investigation and prosecution of individuals engaged in fentanyl trafficking in New Hampshire remains a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners at the local, state and federal level,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “As New Hampshire continues to face an unprecedented number of overdose deaths directly caused by opioid use, we will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who are responsible for distributing these dangerous drugs in our state. Most drug deaths in New Hampshire are associated with fentanyl use. The quick-thinking law enforcement officers who seized this large quantity of fentanyl and prevented it from being distributed may have saved several lives.”

          “Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute this poison.”

          Franklin was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment on the drug trafficking charge and a consecutive mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years on the firearms charge, for a total sentence of 120 months’ imprisonment.

          This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tilton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis prosecuted the case.

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