Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs

             CONCORD - James M. Nesbitt, 43, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Nesbitt conspired with two other individuals to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl and crystal “ice” methamphetamine.  On November 7, 2018, the New Hampshire State Police (“NHSP”) conducted a vehicle stop of Nesbitt’s vehicle and seized fentanyl, crystal “ice” methamphetamine, and other narcotics. Later the same evening, the NHSP and DEA searched Nesbitt’s hotel room in Ossipee and seized approximately 171 grams of crystal “ice” methamphetamine, smaller quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics, and a Springfield Armory XD45 semi-automatic handgun. On December 20, 2018, DEA agents arrested Nesbitt and a co-conspirator at their Rochester residence and seized fentanyl and four firearms and assorted ammunition.

            Nesbitt is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2020.

            “Armed drug traffickers present a serious threat to the safety of the citizens of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “In order to prevent violent crime and maintain public safety, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute drug dealers who arm themselves with firearms.  I commend the investigators in this case for stopping this drug trafficking conspiracy.”               

            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.   

            This case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad, the New Hampshire State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Strafford County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.

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