CONCORD, N.H. – Joshua Smith, 39, of Nashua, NH, is looking at a decade behind bars after pleading guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Smith admitted to illegally carrying a weapon despite a prior robbery conviction, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
The bust went down on March 8, 2022, when Nashua Police detectives were moving to execute an outstanding warrant for Smith’s arrest. As he attempted to slip away in a taxi, detectives apprehended him, discovering a duffle bag packed with a 40 mm caliber riot gun. The weapon wasn’t Smith’s to begin with – it was later determined to be the property of the Manchester Police Department, adding another layer of criminality to the situation.
Smith’s criminal history is extensive. He was previously convicted of robbery in 2013, automatically disqualifying him from legally owning a firearm. Despite this, he brazenly possessed the stolen riot gun, demonstrating a clear disregard for the law. He was indicted on May 31, 2022, and has now admitted guilt in federal court.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante has scheduled sentencing for May 16, 2024. Beyond the potential prison time, Smith faces up to three years of supervised release and a hefty fine of up to $250,000, should he be convicted. Sentencing will be guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Nashua Police Department, highlighting the collaborative approach to tackling gun violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case, determined to see Smith held accountable.
Federal officials emphasized that this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. The Department of Justice relaunched a strengthened PSN program in May 2021, focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement.
Related Federal Cases
- Joshua Hooper, Felon in Possession of Firearm, NH 2023 · New Hampshire
- Joshua Linane, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New Hampshire 2022 · New Hampshire
- Julion Adamski Parker, Felon in Possession of Firearm, NH 2017 · Illinois
- Robert Reidy, Firearm Offenses, Nashua NH, 2024 · New Hampshire
- Joshua Starr Sentenced for Federal Weapon Possession, Berlin NH, 2023 · Massachusetts
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