Barrington woman sentenced to 6-plus years for trafficking heroin

Crystal Watson (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - A Barrington woman was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.

Crystal Watson, 37, was arrested at her home in Barrington on April 7, 2015, after law enforcement officers executed search warrants there.

The search warrants were brought forward as a result of an investigation into her drug trafficking activities.

During the search, officers seized $244,028 in United States currency, 570 grams of heroin, and three firearms.

On Feb. 25, 2016, Watson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin, three counts of distribution of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. As part of her plea agreement, Watson agreed to forfeit the seized cash and firearms, as well as real estate, two log cabin style park trailers, and a vehicle.

"The law enforcement community is united in its effort to identify and prosecute those who are distributing heroin and other deadly drugs in the Granite State," said Acting U.S. Attorney Farley. "Not only are drugs lethal, but those who possess firearms while trafficking in drugs present an added danger to the community. We will continue to do our utmost to prevent the distribution of drugs, reduce the risk of gun violence, and seize assets so that drug traffickers do not profit from their unlawful activities."

"Those suffering from the disease of opioid addiction need access to treatment and recovery," said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson. "But, those responsible for distributing lethal drugs like heroin to the citizens of New Hampshire need to be held accountable for their actions. DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute this poison."

The case was supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The OCDETF program is a federal multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional task force that supplies supplemental federal funding to federal and state agencies involved in the identification, investigation, and prosecution of major drug trafficking organizations.

The DEA; the United States Marshals Service; the New Hampshire State Police; the Barrington Police Department; and the Rochester Police Department participated in the investigation of this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Feith.