A man has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine (meth) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The mans name is James M. Nesbitt, he is 44 years old, and he is of Rochester, New Hampshire. James was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl and methamphetamine. His co-conspirators Haley Hansler and William McKay both pleaded guilty to related charges.
On November 3, 2018, an anonymous informant notified the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that McKay had purchased 330 grams of methamphetamine from a supplier located in the state of California. The informant told the DEA that Nesbitt and McKay were expecting the delivery at Nesbitt’s home. A few days later, the anonymous source told the DEA that Nesbitt and McKay had ordered an additional package of methamphetamine. The source also told the DEA that Nesbitt had fentanyl and was driving to a hotel in North Conway in his Ford F-250 truck.
State police spotted the Ford F-250 truck as well as McKay’s Jaguar sedan. Nesbitt was in the passenger seat of the truck and Hansler was driving the truck. State police at the location decided that Hansler was “driving erratically” and stopped his vehicle. During the traffic stop, the police searched the truck and seized $6,000 in cash, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and 58 grams of heroin.
Nesbitt told investigators that he had won a lottery for the $6,000 in cash found during the traffic stop. Nesbitt later confessed and told investigators that he had earned the money by selling methamphetamine. He explained that the drug trafficking conspiracy netted him around $2,000 weekly. During the traffic stop Nesbitt shouted, “Haley, I had crystal meth in my pocket, I’m going to jail,”.
Nesbitt told the DEA that McKay had purchased meth on a darkweb market and used Nesbitt’s home address to receive the packages. Nesbitt told the police that he was angry that McKay had used his address to buy the drugs which resulted in his paranoia. Nesbitt also said that he had booked the hotel after receiving the package at his home and he had taken the six ounces of methamphetamine with him to the hotel. He planned to split it with McKay at the hotel.
U.S. Attorney Murray said:
Armed drug traffickers are a menace to everyone, The hazards posed by drug dealers are greatly enhanced when they carry guns while selling their dangerous wares. In order to keep the Granite State safe, we will continue to work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the armed drug dealers who jeopardize the health and safety of our citizens.
The DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle, said:
DEA is committed to bringing to justice poly-drug traffickers like Mr. Nesbitt. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative law enforcement efforts in New Hampshire.
Charges for Meth dealing
Hansler was sentenced to 60 months in prison on April 28, 2020. Nesbitt was sentenced to 120 months in prison on November 16, 2020. Mckay is currently awaiting sentencing.