New Hampshire Man Sentenced On Firearms Charges

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting U.S. Attorney Donald Feith announced today that Gordon Potter, 35, formerly of Hampstead, New Hampshire, was sentenced to a term of 92 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3 year term of supervised release. 

          In August 2015, Potter pleaded guilty to a four count indictment charging him with three counts of possession of ammunition and firearms, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and one count of being an unlawful user in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).  As a result of multiple prior felony convictions in New Hampshire state court, Potter was prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearms or ammunition. 

          According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 26, 2015, Salem Police conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle in which Potter was a passenger.  After suspected controlled substances were observed in the vehicle, a search warrant was later obtained and law enforcement recovered a 12 gauge Mossberg shotgun; a modified Kel-Tec pistol; high capacity magazines, ammunition; four cell phones, and three laptop computers.  The firearms were later determined to be stolen.  Potter has remained in custody on a New Hampshire state parole violation since that date.

          The case was investigated by the Salem Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Debra M. Walsh and Charles L. Rombeau.