Bennington Man Sentenced On Drug And Firearm Charges

            CONCORD – United States Attorney Emily Gray Rice announced that Rosaire Gauthier, 40, of Bennington, New Hampshire was sentenced in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire to 78 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a felon-in-possession charge and 17 drug charges.  Gauthier pleaded guilty to the charges on October 9, 2015.

            According to documents on file with the court and statements made at his sentencing hearing, Gauthier sold oxycodone and other controlled substances to a confidential informant on 15 occasions between April 2011 and February 2012.  A search of his residence in August 2014 resulted in the seizure of drugs, three loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun, a loaded rifle that had an extended magazine attached, three ballistic vests and $18,190 in cash.  Gauthier was a convicted felon at the time and could not legally possess a firearm.

            Gauthier was also sentenced to three years of supervised release after he completes his prison sentence.  During the term of his supervised release, Gauthier’s behavior will be monitored by an officer with the United States Probation & Pretrial Services Office.

            The case was investigated by the Manchester Police Department.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted in the investigation.  The case was prosecuted by AUSA Debra Walsh.

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