Rochester man gets six years in federal prison on drug trafficking, gun charges

CONCORD - A Rochester man was sentenced to six years in federal prison for drug and firearm charges, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced on Friday.

The arrest of Zachary Poisson, 27, unfolded on Sept. 27, 2020, when Somersworth police officers were dispatched to a local store for a report of an attempted theft. One of the suspects, Poisson, who was on probation at the time, was placed under arrest after which a satchel strapped across his body was searched where $4,304 in cash and a bag containing over 67 grams of fentanyl was found.

Officers later searched Poisson's vehicle, where they found a 9mm handgun and a quantity of crack cocaine. As a convicted felon, Poisson was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

"Armed drug traffickers present a significant threat to public safety in New Hampshire," said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. "By dealing fentanyl, this defendant was profiting from the sale of a deadly substance. This danger was further enhanced by his unlawful possession of a firearm. As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold armed drug dealers accountable for their unlawful conduct."

This matter was investigated by the FBI and Somersworth Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.