Haley Hansler, Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses, New Hampshire 2020

A Rochester woman has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray today.

Haley Hansler, 33, of Rochester, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Hansler conspired with two other individuals to traffic in methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Rochester area. On November 7, 2018, the New Hampshire State Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Hansler and seized approximately 58 grams of heroin and smaller quantities of crystal ‘ice’ methamphetamine and other narcotics.

Later the same evening, members of the New Hampshire State Police and the DEA searched Hansler’s hotel room in Ossipee, New Hampshire and seized approximately 171 grams of crystal ‘ice’ methamphetamine and smaller quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics. Law enforcement also seized a semi-automatic handgun from Hansler’s purse. On December 20, 2018, DEA agents arrested Hansler and co-conspirator James Nesbitt at their Rochester residence and seized approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, four firearms, and ammunition.

Hansler previously pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020. Nesbitt pleaded guilty to the charges on March 6, 2020, and is awaiting sentencing.

“Drugs and guns are a potentially deadly combination,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “In order to protect public safety, we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, prosecute, and incarcerate the armed drug dealers who endanger our communities. When drug traffickers use or possess firearms, they should understand that they will be prosecuted in federal court and receive substantial prison sentences.”

This investigation was the product of an investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

This case was investigated by the DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad; the New Hampshire State Police; the United States Postal Inspection Service; and the Strafford County Drug Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Cole Davis.