United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CONCORD, N.H. – Mark Williams, 45, plead guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in the early morning hours on October 27, 2023, Williams was driving a vehicle that he had borrowed from an acquaintance when he became involved in a single-car accident in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Williams walked away before Goffstown Police arrived. The unoccupied vehicle sustained disabling damage and was later towed. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm handgun and distribution-level quantities of methamphetamine (41 grams), cocaine (73 grams), and fentanyl (452 grams). Williams was later arrested.

The charging statute for the drug trafficking offense provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, at least 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. The charging statute for the firearm violation provides for a sentence of not less than 5 years and up to life in federal prison, consecutive to any prison term imposed on the drug trafficking offense, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2026.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Goffstown Police Department, and the Manchester Police Department. Valuable assistance was additionally provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).