Source: United States Department of Justice News
CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and firearm offenses, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.
John Rivera, 24, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession with the intent to distribute quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack” cocaine, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph LaPlante scheduled sentencing for July 25, 2023. Rivera was charged on March 11, 2022.
On September 16, 2021, the New Hampshire State Police, working in conjunction with the Manchester Police Department, observed a firearm under Rivera’s driver’s seat during a traffic stop. Upon searching the vehicle, officers seized 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl packaged for distribution, approximately 19.68 grams of crack cocaine, a stolen firearm, a loaded magazine, loose ammunition, drug packaging materials, and a digital scale. Rivera is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition based on a prior felony conviction.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis is prosecuting the case.
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