Former Rochester man gets eight years for trafficking 100 grams of fentanyl

Antoine Valentin (2021 Rochester Police photo)

CONCORD - A Somersworth man was sentenced today for possessing 100 grams of fentanyl for distribution.

Antoine Valentin, 43, formerly of Winter Street in Rochester, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante to 96 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release. Valentin previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.

"Today's sentence reflects the serious threat posed by those who deal in lethal drugs like fentanyl," said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. "This defendant was preparing to distribute this deadly substance, putting lives at risk."

In November of 2022, law enforcement agents arrested Valentin at his Somersworth residence on a state assault charge, which led to the seizure of about 100 grams of fentanyl and drug proceeds totaling $1,300 in United States currency.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Somersworth Police Department led the investigation. The Dover Police Department, Portsmouth Police Department, Hampton Police Department, Seabrook Police Department, Rochester Police Department, University of New Hampshire Police Department, and the York, Maine, Police Department, provided valuable assistance.