N.H. man sentenced for fentanyl trafficking

CONCORD – Timothy Lafond, 41, of Rochester, was sentenced in federal court on Thursday to 198 months for drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2018, Lafond made a series of fentanyl transactions with individual who were cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration. On Sept. 4, 2018, the DEA conducted a motor vehicle stop of Lafond and arrested him as he left his Rochester apartment.

Lafond pleaded guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute on July 30.

“Fentanyl is an incredibly deadly substance that is endangering the lives of people throughout New Hampshire,” Murray said. “By seizing multiple kilograms of fentanyl from this defendant, the DEA may have prevented countless overdoses and deaths. Fentanyl dealers in New Hampshire should take notice of this lengthy sentence. Continuing to sell this lethal drug, will result in arrest and incarceration in a federal prison for a substantial portion of their lives.”

Woman sentenced on meth and gun charges

CONCORD – Kristina Blake, 29, of Northfield, was sentenced in federal court Thursday to 10 years in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and a conspiracy to possess firearms during a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Sept. 19, 2018, law enforcement officers encountered Blake and Daniel Irving in a vehicle near a convenience store in Concord.

Blake previously pleaded guilty on Aug. 15. Irving was sentenced to 96 months on Oct. 11.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug and dealers should expect to spend years in a federal prison,” Murray said.

“Kristina Blake made the terrible choice to traffic in this highly addictive stimulant, the abuse of which is epidemic,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division. “The citizens of Concord can rest easy knowing Ms. Blake is off their streets for the decade to come, and that the FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting their city from the scourge of pushers and pistols.”

Mass. man gets 96 months on fentanyl charges

CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Scott Murray said Walker Manuel Moreta, 32, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl.

Evidence in the case also indicated that the drugs distributed by the defendant resulted in at least one fatal fentanyl overdose in Portsmouth.

Moreta previously pleaded guilty on April 1. He faces likely removal to the Dominican Republic after serving his sentence.

Two co-conspirators, Miguel Arias-Velasquez and Miguel Vasquez, previously pleaded guilty. Arias-Velasquez was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison. Vasquez is awaiting sentencing.

“Fentanyl is an incredibly lethal substance that has caused hundreds of deaths in New Hampshire,” Murray said. “We are working every day to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the interstate fentanyl traffickers who are selling this deadly drug to the citizens of the Granite State.”

Kitten taken to rescue group tests positive for rabies

DANVILLE (AP) – New Hampshire health officials say a kitten taken to an animal rescue organization tested positive for rabies. Health officials say the kitten was found in Danville and brought to the Salem Animal Rescue League on Nov. 13. It began showing symptoms of rabies Tuesday and tested positive for the virus Thursday.

The Health Department said Friday it’s identified all people who had direct physical contact with the kitten and is contacting them to assess their potential risk for exposure to the rabies virus. The kitten was only available to visitors on Nov. 14.

Authorities say the kitten lived outdoors in the area of Main Street between Cobblers Ridge and Hersey Road in Danville. There are believed to be other outdoor cats and kittens there that may be at risk for having rabies. The town’s animal control officer is investigating.

Board approves a plan to deal with fuel tanks

BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) – A development review board in Brattleboro, Vermont, has approved a plan to deal with a company’s fuel tank relocation issue to make way for a new bridge connecting the state with New Hampshire.

The Brattleboro Reformer reports a plan approved by the Development Review Board is to construct six new above-ground storage tanks and a loading rack.

Michael Fifield, president and owner of Barrows & Fisher Oil Co., said his group’s building will remain underneath where the bridge will be and will not hold flammable liquids.

The new bridge will replace the existing twin truss bridges Route 119, the Anna Marsh Hunt Bridge and the Charles Dana Bridge, which have connected Hinsdale and Brattleboro since 1926.

There will be an 1,800-foot span about 300 feet south of the current bridges.