Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty To Drug Trafficking And Firearm Offenses

          CONCORD - Haley Hansler, 33, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, Hansler conspired with two other individuals to possess fentanyl with the intent to distribute and to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.  On November 7, 2018, the New Hampshire State Police (“NHSP”) conducted a vehicle stop of a vehicle driven by Hansler and seized approximately 58 grams of heroin and smaller quantities of crystal “ice” methamphetamine and other narcotics.  Later the same evening, members of the NHSP and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) searched Hansler’s hotel room in Ossipee, New Hampshire and seized approximately 171 grams of crystal “ice” methamphetamine and smaller quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics and Hansler’s semi-automatic handgun.  On December 20, 2018, DEA agents arrested Hansler and a co-conspirator at their Rochester residence and seized approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, as well as four firearms and ammunition.          

          Hansler is scheduled to be sentenced on April 24, 2020.

          “Fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine are lethal drugs that have caused serious harm to the people of New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The danger of drug trafficking is further enhanced when drug dealers are outfitted with firearms. The brave law enforcement officers who confront them deserve every protection the law can provide.  Accordingly, we are committed to vigorously prosecuting traffickers who choose to possess firearms in furtherance of their drug trade.” 

          This investigation was the product of an investigation 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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