Nashua Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession

Paul Channell, 31, of Nashua, NH, has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison after being found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire, Channell was arrested on December 13, 2020, following a DUI stop by the Hudson Police Department. During an inventory of his vehicle, police discovered a Glock 26 handgun with an extended magazine loaded with a round in the chamber. Channell had previously been convicted of a felony and was under supervised release at the time of the arrest.

Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley emphasized the importance of keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals, stating, ‘A convicted felon in possession of a loaded handgun presents a clear danger to public safety.’ The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by identifying and addressing its root causes.

Channell pleaded guilty on August 13, 2021, to the charges. He was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Walsh, who worked in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hudson Police Department. The ATF’s investigation revealed that Channell had been using his vehicle as a means to transport and possess illegal firearms.

Farley further commented on the case, saying, ‘We will continue to seek substantial prison sentences for armed criminals so that they cannot endanger the hardworking and law-abiding citizens of the Granite State.’ The PSN program brings together stakeholders from various sectors to work collaboratively in reducing violent crime rates.

The sentence handed down to Channell underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to enforcing firearm laws strictly, particularly when it comes to felons. This case serves as a stern reminder that the possession of firearms by felons is not tolerated and will be met with severe penalties.

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