Nashua Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession

NASHUA, N.H. – A Nashua man has been handed down a 51-month federal prison sentence for his role in being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Paul Channell, 31, was sentenced by Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley on charges that he violated the Firearms Act by possessing a Glock 26 handgun with an extended magazine and a round in the chamber. Channell was previously convicted of a felony in 2018, rendering him prohibited from owning firearms.

According to court documents, Channell’s fateful encounter with law enforcement began on December 13, 2020, when he was arrested for driving under the influence by the Hudson Police Department. During the inventory process following his arrest, police discovered the firearm, which they had been granted permission to search due to their policy of vehicle inventories.

Channell entered a guilty plea on August 13, 2021, acknowledging his possession of the illegal firearm while on supervised release. Speaking on the case, Acting U.S. Attorney Farley emphasized the necessity of keeping firearms out of the hands of felons, noting, “To protect our community from violent crime, it is vital to keep guns out of the hands of criminals.”

The investigation into Channell’s illegal possession was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with the assistance of the Hudson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Walsh handled the prosecution.

This sentencing comes as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts between various stakeholders. The program identifies and addresses the most pressing violent crime issues within communities, ensuring comprehensive solutions are developed to combat them effectively.

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