Repeat Offender Sentenced to 150 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Offenses

CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced today in federal court for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine while on parole, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

Michael Francis, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro to 150 months in prison and 4 years of supervised release. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Francis also agreed to not contest the forfeiture of approximately $49,000 seized from him in connection with this investigation. On November 14, 2023, Francis pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine.

“Mr. Francis dealt large quantities of narcotics, while he was on parole for another drug-related crime,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack said. “The lengthy sentenced imposed today ensures the public will be protected from this repeat offender for more than 12 years.”

“Michael Francis is a repeat offender, committed to selling narcotics and making money with no regard for the harm he caused in his community,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Putting Mr. Francis out of business and behind bars for the next 12 years is a win for the people of New Hampshire. The FBI’s Major Offender Task Force and our partners will never cede our cities to drug pushers.”

On September 1, 2021, law enforcement officers conducted a search of the defendant’s car after he parked at a TD Bank in Manchester. Law enforcement officers discovered a gift bag in the car containing a brick of more than one kilogram of cocaine, along with an empty gun holster and $10,000 in cash.  At the time of his arrest, the defendant was on parole for another drug-related crime and had roughly $4,000 in cash on him. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Gingrande, Charlie Rombeau, and Jarad Hodes prosecuted the case.

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