Spencer Katsohis, age 28, formerly of 24 Daytona Street, Nashua

NASHUA – On at least two of the three occasions between October 2018 and last June that police questioned him about his alleged involvement with possessing and distributing illegal drugs, Spencer Katsohis came clean, confirming the officers’ suspicions that he was distributing the drugs in Greater Nashua, according to court documents.

On one occasion, when officers pulled him over for “several traffic infractions” in Nashua and found a small bag “protruding from the center console” of his car, Katsohis admitted it contained drugs.

When police also found a larger bag, containing about 15 grams of fentanyl, according to the documents, Katsohis “then informed the officers that he had a third bag (of drugs) concealed in his pants.”

Katsohis’s subsequent arrests on those charges set in motion the series of events that led to the upgrade of the charges to the federal level, officials said.

Katsohis, 28, last known address of 24 Daytona St. in Nashua, would end up pleading guilty to the charges in early 2020 in U.S. District Court, according to former U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire Scott W. Murray.

In exchange for the guilty pleas, Katsohis agreed to a 10-year sentence in federal prison, according to the office, and a date for his sentencing hearing was scheduled.

But in June 2020, while Katsohis was awaiting that sentencing hearing, he was arrested yet again, this time by Nashua officers who responded to a reported single-car crash in which Katsohis was the driver and lone occupant of the car.

While investigating the crash, which appears to have been minor in nature, officers searched Katsohis and his vehicle, and, according to the documents, discovered about 130 grams of fentanyl.

Further, a police search of Katsohis’s phone turned up “evidence that he was distributing drugs,” according to the documents.

Katsohis plead guilty to the new charge last November, setting the stage for the sentencing hearing.

Katsohis’s case was one of the last prosecuted by Murray, who announced his retirement as the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire effective March 6.

“Fentanyl trafficking is a menace to public health and safety,” Murray said in a statement announcing Katsohis’s sentencing.

“By bringing quantities of fentanyl from Lawrence (Massachusetts) to Nashua for distribution, (Katsohis) made a very dangerous substance available for sale.

“Thanks to the work of the Nashua Police Department and Operation SOS (Synthetic Opioid Surge), (Katsohis) will be incarcerated for 10 years, and unable to further endanger the lives of Granite Staters,” Murray said.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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