Joshua Smith, 40, of Nashua, was sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Courtesy photo/Nashua Police Department

NASHUA – Joshua Smith, 40, of Nashua, was sentenced on Aug. 23 to five years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm which also belonged to the Manchester Police Department.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Smith lost his right to carry a firearm in 2013 when he was convicted of robbery and several other felonies. However, in March 2022, Nashua Police found him with the 40 mm caliber riot gun and took him into custody. Smith had taken the gun one month earlier while Manchester Police were assisting an officer in need.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping guns out of the hands of felons,” said U.S. Attorney Jane Young. “This office will continue to hold felons possessing firearms accountable for their continued disregard of the law and will ensure that they pay the penalty for their recidivism.”

Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, said getting guns out of the hands of convicted felons is crucial to alleviating violent crime in New Hampshire.

“Joshua Smith has a lengthy criminal record and wasn’t permitted to have a gun,” she said. “The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to imprison criminals who refuse to respect the law in an effort to make our communities safer.”

Smith’s prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.