CONCORD – William Charles Pelletier, 36, of Andover, Maine, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to unlawful transportation of a firearm in interstate commerce and misdemeanor assault, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 13, 2018, the defendant was indicted in the Northern District of Georgia for felony abusive sexual contact. It is unlawful for a person who is under indictment for a felony to transport a firearm or ammunition in interstate commerce.

On Nov. 25, while that charge remained pending and the defendant was on pretrial release, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent conducted a traffic stop of the defendant’s black Cadillac Escalade after observing the vehicle travel from Vermont to New Hampshire. Ultimately, a search of the vehicle yielded two firearms and over 300 grams of suspected marijuana. The defendant admitted the drugs and guns in the vehicle belonged to him. In addition, the defendant resolved the pending charge in the Northern District of Georgia by pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault related to groping a passenger on an airplane.

Pelletier is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.

“Criminal activity involving firearms presents an increased risk of harm to the public,” Murray said. “In order to protect the citizens of New Hampshire, we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute those who illegally possess guns.”