Two Individuals Indicted for Trafficking Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in New Hampshire

CONCORD - Methuen, MA resident Albert Marino Fortuna Escalante, age 30, and Manchester, NH resident Bresley Beatriz Castillo Taveras, age 27, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in New Hampshire with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

According to charging documents, Fortuna Escalante, as a member of the conspiracy, trafficked more than 400 grams of fentanyl and over 50 grams of methamphetamine. According to those same documents, Castillo Taveras, as a member of the conspiracy, trafficked more than 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Under the charging statute, if convicted Fortuna Escalante faces a prison sentence of ten years to life and Castillo Taveras faces sentence of five to forty years in prison. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

New Hampshire's FBI Major Offender Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance provided by the Manchester Police Department, Methuen Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and Internal Revenue Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Anderson is prosecuting the case.