United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD, N.H. – A Vermont man was sentenced in federal court in Concord for unlawfully possessing quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Damien Rousseau, Jr., 31, formerly of Vershire, Vermont was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release. On April 10, 2023, Rousseau plead guilty to unlawful possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.

“This office is committed to prosecuting drug traffickers who possess firearms and large quantities of narcotics for distribution in New Hampshire, and surrounding states, to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Young. “Methamphetamine and cocaine are insidiously dangerous drugs that continue to ravage New Hampshire. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement, the defendant was brought to justice and our communities will be free from his drug dealing.”

“DEA is committed to investigating and dismantling Poly Drug Trafficking Organizations like this one headed by Mr. Rousseau, who are responsible for distributing drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle.  “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take these poisons off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, state and federal law enforcement efforts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

On May 11, 2022, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center security personnel determined that Rousseau was in a patient’s room while in possession of a bag that contained a small quantity of narcotics and a drug ledger. The Lebanon Police Department responded and observed that Rousseau’s BMW vehicle, in the medical center’s parking-lot, had methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. A drug detecting canine also alerted the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. The defendant was arrested and released on bail.  The following day, May 12, 2022, the Lebanon Police Department observed Rousseau trespassing in their secure-impound lot. After finding him hidden in the BMW, officers arrested him and executed a search warrant on the vehicle. Law Enforcement seized approximately 436 grams of methamphetamine, 98.66 grams of cocaine, 10.5 grams of fentanyl, three loaded firearms, assorted loose ammunition, $2,179, and 20 assorted silver and gold-colored coins.   

This matter was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration- Manchester District Office and Burlington Vermont Resident Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lebanon Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Davis.