CONCORD, N.H. – A trio of individuals have admitted to their roles in a cold-blooded scheme to illegally obtain firearms in New Hampshire. Matthew Bergeron, 30, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Rashawn Dunn, 30, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Jessica Fithian, 33, of Manchester, New Hampshire, all pleaded guilty this week to federal conspiracy charges stemming from a 2016 straw purchase operation. The case exposes a brazen attempt to circumvent gun laws and funnel weapons into the hands of someone legally prohibited from owning them.
According to court documents and the indictment, Bergeron masterminded the operation. He enlisted Dunn to purchase two firearms from Riley’s Sport Shop in Hooksett, New Hampshire, in June and July of 2016. Simultaneously, Bergeron co-opted Fithian to make another firearm purchase on his behalf at the same store in July. The scheme relied on blatant deception: both Dunn and Fithian falsely certified on ATF Form 4473 that they were the actual purchasers, concealing the fact they were acting as fronts for Bergeron.
The deceit didn’t stop at the firearms themselves. Bergeron also directed his accomplices to buy ammunition and extended clip magazines on his behalf. Immediately after leaving Riley’s Sport Shop, Dunn and Fithian handed over the firearms, ammunition, and magazines to Bergeron. This delivery ensured he possessed weapons he was legally barred from owning as a previously convicted felon and a resident of Massachusetts – a state with stricter gun control laws than New Hampshire at the time.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on November 2, 2016, setting the stage for this week’s guilty pleas. Dunn and Fithian each confessed to one count of conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. Bergeron doubled down, pleading guilty to two counts of the same charge, reflecting his central role in the scheme. These aren’t victimless crimes; they contribute to the flow of illegal guns and the potential for violence.
Sentencing hearings are slated for June 2017 before Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph LaPlante. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment per count of conviction. The actual penalties will be determined after a thorough pre-sentence investigation report is completed, giving the court a full picture of their criminal histories and involvement in this operation. This case demonstrates the ATF and local law enforcement’s commitment to cracking down on illegal gun trafficking.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Manchester Police Department. The case falls under ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federally-funded initiative aimed at reducing gun violence through targeted law enforcement and community engagement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case, seeking to hold these individuals accountable for their dangerous and illegal actions. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing outcomes.
Related Federal Cases
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- Haley, Collins Charged in Alabama Gun Straw Purchase Scheme · Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Scheme · Massachusetts
- Charlestown Gun King Gets 37 Months: Straw Purchaser Nabbed in Big Firearm Ring · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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