Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

CONCORD - Craig Pearson, 42, of Manchester, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

According to the plea agreement, in late June and early July 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized a total of more than 600 grams of methamphetamine during two separate controlled purchase operations involving Pearson. As a result, on July 7, 2022, DEA arrested Pearson, searched a hotel room he rented, and seized an additional 400 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of fentanyl, and a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle.

The charging statute for the drug trafficking offense provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The charging statute for the firearm violation provides for a sentence of not less than 5 years and up to life in federal prison, consecutive to any prison term imposed on the drug trafficking offense, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Samanta D. Elliott scheduled sentencing for May 12, 2026.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cesar A. Vega is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).