NH Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

CONCORD – Jonathan Sargent, 38, of Manchester, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 22, 2019, Manchester Police detectives and Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at Sargent’s apartment and arrested him on a warrant for distributing controlled substances.  The search revealed several assault-style rifles, a handgun, ammunition, cash, and other items consistent with drug trafficking.  Law enforcement officers also seized approximately 850 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 56 grams of fentanyl from Sargent’s apartment.

Sargent is scheduled to be sentenced on February 2, 2022.  As part of his plea, Sargent agreed to forfeit four firearms that were in his possession at the time of his arrest.

“Armed drug traffickers present a serious threat to public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “To protect the citizens of Manchester and other communities, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the armed criminals who are profiting from sales of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous substances.  Through this and other successful prosecutions of armed drug dealers, we are working to make the Granite State a safer place.”

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Chen.

This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.).  In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts.  The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.   In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.