Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Trafficking and Gun Crimes

            CONCORD – Matthew MacLeod, 34, of Rochester, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 7, 2018, officers from the Rochester Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by MacLeod.  During a later search of the vehicle, officers found multiple drugs, including cocaine and over 40 grams of fentanyl.  MacLeod possessed the drugs with the intent to sell them.  Officers also seized a firearm from the vehicle.

            MacLeod is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2020.

            “Armed drug dealers are a menace to the public,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “I am grateful for the work of the Rochester Police Department and the FBI in removing this threat from our streets.  Close cooperation by law enforcement is essential to addressing the opioid crisis.” 

            "Each and every day, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are working hard targeting armed drug dealers like Mr. MacLeod, who illegally contribute to the opioid crisis that continues to devastate communities all over the Granite state.  By finally accepting responsibility for his criminal conduct, he's one step closer to being held accountable for poisoning our streets with dangerous drugs and putting residents in harm's way," said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

            This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Rochester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.