Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking Charges
CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today that Derrick Jennings, 48, formerly of Manchester, pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking charges.
Court documents and statements in court showed that while on supervised release for a prior drug trafficking crime, Jennings sold fentanyl on three separate occasions in January and February 2016, to an individual who was cooperating with the Rochester Police Department. On April 6, 2016, two individuals were arrested by the Manchester Police Department during a traffic stop after a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 244.45 grams of fentanyl that had been packaged for sale. Investigators determined that the individuals were drug “runners” for Jennings. On July 18, 2016, 57.7 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, multiple cellphones, and $6,100 in cash were recovered when a search warrant was executed at Jennings’ apartment in Manchester. Jennings became a fugitive, but was arrested in November of 2016. The cash was forfeited to the United States.
Jennings pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He will be sentenced on May 31, 2018.
“The aggressive investigation and prosecution of fentanyl trafficking is a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Individuals like this defendant who seek to profit from the sale of this deadly drug are causing grave damage to our community. We will work tirelessly to stop fentanyl trafficking and to protect the citizens of the Granite State from its deadly effects.”
“Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. “But those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like fentanyl to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA’s top priority is combatting the opioid epidemic by working with our local, county and state law enforcement partners to bring to justice those that distribute this poison.”
This investigation was conducted by the DEA, the Strafford County Drug Task Force, and the Manchester and Rochester, New Hampshire Police Departments. The United States Marshals-led New Hampshire Joint Fugitive Task Force also provided valuable assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis is prosecuting the case.
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