Manchester Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking

            CONCORD - United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today that William Looney, 55, of Manchester, New Hampshire, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for fentanyl trafficking.   

            According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2017, the Manchester Police Department received information that Looney was a drug dealer who was transporting large quantities of fentanyl from Massachusetts to New Hampshire.  On July 28, 2017, law enforcement officers observed Looney travel from Manchester to Massachusetts.  When he returned to New Hampshire, officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Looney based on an outstanding arrest warrant.  In the center console of the vehicle was a package containing approximately 285 grams of fentanyl.         

            Looney previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl on May 24, 2018.   

            “Those who choose to transport fentanyl and other deadly drugs into New Hampshire should understand that they will be prosecuted aggressively,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The substantial prison sentence imposed in this case should serve as a warning to anyone who would engage in dealing illegal substances. I commend the Manchester Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Hampshire State Police for their vigilance in bringing this man to justice.”  

            "Today, Mr. Looney is finally being held accountable for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation that capitalized on people's addictions and fueled the demand for this deadly drug,” said Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Boston Division. “This case is another example of the FBI's steadfast commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer and get illegal narcotics off our streets.”

             This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department, with assistance from the New Hampshire State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B. Kelbley.

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