Concord Man Pleads Guilty To Methamphetamine Distribution In Federal Court

CONCORD, NH — A Concord man pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine.

Zachary Albert, 44, entered his plea on Wednesday before U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan.

McAuliffe scheduled Albert’s sentencing for May 27. The charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years of incarceration. It also includes a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million.

The investigation into a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in New Hampshire began in the fall of 2022. The FBI Major Offender Task Force and the New Hampshire State Police led this effort. Court documents and statements made in court indicate that Albert acted as a mid-level methamphetamine distributor.

According to court records, Albert obtained methamphetamine from a co-conspirator and then sold the drugs to others. On March 16, 2023, he arranged to purchase methamphetamine for two of his customers. Law enforcement subsequently stopped and searched Albert’s vehicle. Officers found 97.9 grams of fentanyl and 26.9 grams of methamphetamine during the search.

Sentences in federal court are determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing criminal cases. The investigation received assistance from the Concord Police Department, Franklin Police Department, and New Hampton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Cherniske prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative. This program aims to address illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. It integrates efforts and resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.