CONCORD – Zachary McInerney-Jones, 26, of Manchester, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to drug trafficking and firearm charges, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 7, 2021, police investigating a potential shooting in Manchester were requested to stop a vehicle associated with McInerney-Jones. After locating and stopping the vehicle the next morning, the vehicle was towed to the Manchester police station to be searched pursuant to a warrant. During the search, officers located a pay stub and other documents associated with McInerney-Jones, as well as two handguns and ammunition. Officers also found evidence of drug trafficking, including fentanyl, marijuana, and $1,494.66 in cash.
McInerney-Jones is scheduled to be sentenced on August 29, 2022.
“Armed drug dealers present a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “As part of our effort to protect the community from violent crime, we are working closely with the Manchester Police Department to identify and prosecute drug dealers who possess guns in the Queen City.”
“Guns and illegal drugs are a bad combination that has often led to violence in our city,” said Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg. “I am grateful for the diligent investigation that was completed by the Manchester Police Detectives which culminated in the arrest of the defendant.”
This matter was investigated by the Manchester Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joachim H. Barth.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.). In July of 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of S.O.S., which is being implemented in the District of New Hampshire and nine other federal districts. The goal of S.O.S. is to combat the large number of overdoses and deaths associated with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. In New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing its efforts on prosecuting synthetic opioid trafficking cases arising in Hillsborough County, which includes Manchester and Nashua.
###