Weare Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison For Methamphetamine Trafficking And Firearms Offenses

CONCORD – United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced that Dustin Moss, 31, formerly of Weare, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.  

          According to court documents and statements made in court, in April of 2017, Moss purchased a large package of methamphetamine from a drug supplier in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Moss also arranged, through his sister, Sabrina Moss, to have another individual, Brian O’Rourke, pick up the package.  On April 19, 2017, federal agents intercepted the package.  After obtaining a search warrant, they discovered 12 pounds of 92-percent pure “ice” methamphetamine inside the package. 

          Later that day, agents delivered the package, now containing “dummy” drugs, to O’Rourke.  Agents then followed O’Rourke to a location in Manchester where Moss was waiting.  Once O’Rourke transferred the package to Moss, agents arrested both men.  Inside Moss’ car, agents found, among other things, a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm, throwing knives, and two black ski masks, as well as $10,590 in cash, a digital scale, and drug packaging and distribution paraphernalia.  The $10,590 was forfeited to the United States in an administrative forfeiture proceeding and the firearm will be forfeited pursuant to a civil forfeiture proceeding.

          Moss previously pleaded guilty on April 25, 2018, to one count of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The drug count carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, and the firearm charge carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years.

          On June 28, 2018, Moss’s sister, Sabrina Moss, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.  O’Rourke pleaded guilty on December 22, 2017, and is awaiting sentencing.

          “This lengthy prison sentence serves notice that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to aggressively prosecuting drug traffickers, particularly those who use firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Methamphetamine is a rising threat to public health and safety and dealers should expect serious penalties after conviction.  I commend the law enforcement agents whose efforts ended this defendant’s drug trafficking business. We will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute those who choose to distribute this dangerous drug.”

          “The sentence imposed today on Dustin Moss demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our partners in law enforcement, and at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to the prosecution of mailers and recipients of illegal drugs to the fullest extent of the law,” said Delany De Leon-Colon, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the U.S Postal Inspection Service  “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to keeping methamphetamine and other highly addictive drugs, from destroying lives."    

          “DEA is committed to bring to justice those that distribute methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Today’s substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Moss accountable for his 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 off the streets of New Hampshire.”

          This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the DEA.  It was prosecuted by former Assistant United States Attorney William Morse and Assistant U.S. Attorneys John S. Davis and Shane B. Kelbley.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Rabuck is handling the asset forfeiture matter.

         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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