Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Date: 12-21-2021
Case Style:
Case Number: 1:20-cr-00149-JL-1
Judge: Joseph N. Laplante
Court: United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire (Merrimack County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Description: Concord, New Hampshire criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with drug distribution and firearm felony.
Stephen Johnstone, 32, of Gilford, was charged for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on July 21, 2020, New Hampshire State Probation and Parole officers made contact with Johnstone, who was a state parolee under their supervision. Johnstone appeared to be in possession of baggies of methamphetamine. The officers requested assistance from the Laconia Police Department.
Johnstone’s car was impounded and searched pursuant to a state search warrant. Detectives found a backpack containing a Ruger .380 handgun with five rounds of ammunition, over 680 grams of methamphetamine, over 170 grams of cocaine, and other evidence of drug trafficking. As a convicted felon, Johnstone was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
“Armed drug dealers pose a significant threat to public safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Although drug traffickers endanger the lives of our citizens by peddling deadly substances, the danger is enhanced when drug dealers possess firearms. As this case demonstrates, we will seek substantial prison sentences for the armed drug traffickers whose conduct threatens the security of communities in the Granite State.”
This matter was investigated by the Laconia Police Department and New Hampshire State Probation and Parole Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii) & (b)(1)(C) - Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (methamphetamine)
(3)
18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2) - Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person
(5)
Outcome: Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Joseph N. Laplante: SENTENCING held on 12/21/2021 for Stephen Johnstone Jr. (1) Sentenced on Counts 3, 5. Stephen Johnstone Jr. (1) Court accepts binding stipulations in plea agreement. Fine waived due to inability to pay. Appeal rights to defendant. Court granted oral motion by government to dismiss counts 1-2,4. (Court Reporter: Susan M. Bateman) (Govt Atty: Joachim H. Barth) (Defts Atty: Dorothy E. Graham) (USP: Matthew Farwell)(Total Hearing Time: 23 minutes) (jb) (Entered: 12/21/2021)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: