CONCORD – Melissa Gazaway, 34, of Manchester, was sentenced to 40 months for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl and crack cocaine, Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in the spring of 2020, investigators received information from confidential sources that Gazaway and her co-defendants, Jovan and Chrystal Callaghan, were selling crack cocaine and fentanyl from their residence in Manchester. Law enforcement officers learned that Gazaway and Chrystal Callaghan would travel to New York to purchase crack cocaine. On three separate occasions, officers conducted lawful traffic stops of their vehicle returning from New York and seized over 300 grams of crack cocaine. In late 2020, confidential sources conducted six controlled purchases of fentanyl and crack cocaine from the three co-defendants.
On December 24, 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and seized over one kilogram of fentanyl and a firearm, along with large amounts of cash and drug use and packaging materials.
Chrystal Callaghan was sentenced on July 28, 2021, to 54 months. Jovan Callaghan was sentenced on September 21, 2021, to 60 months.
Gazaway previously pleaded guilty on April 20, 2021.
“This case is another example of our ongoing efforts to prosecute drug dealers in Manchester,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. “Those who seek to profit by selling dangerous drugs like fentanyl and crack cocaine are endangering lives in our community. To protect public safety, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute the drug dealers who threaten the quality of life in Manchester and other communities in the Granite State.”
“This case serves as another example of how frequently the Manchester Police Department is locating illegal drugs in the company of firearms. This is a dangerous combination and will not be tolerated within the City of Manchester,” says Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “The Manchester Police Department will continue to seek federal charges for this type of behavior. We are thankful for the excellent relationship this agency has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and their continued commitment to these cases.”
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New Hampshire State Police, the Manchester Police Department, and the Nashua Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Georgiana L. MacDonald and Jennifer Cole Davis.
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