Rochester woman, 38, gets five years for trafficking of fentanyl, meth

Jennelle Brown (Police mugshot)

CONCORD - A Rochester woman was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in New Hampshire, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced on Thursday.

Jennelle Brown, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine on Jan. 18, 2023. Her co-defendant, Bradford Sargent, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and will be sentenced on July 6.

"Today's sentence sends a message to the defendant and other drug traffickers that such illegal conduct will be prosecuted and will result in significant periods of incarceration," said U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. "The outstanding collaborative efforts of federal and local law enforcement stopped those drugs from entering the community."

Brown and Sargent sold drugs multiple times from their hotel room in Portsmouth. When law enforcement searched their room, they uncovered large quantities of money, drugs, and drug ledgers. Searches of two vehicles, storage units, and safety deposit boxes uncovered more currency and drugs. In total, law enforcement seized over $130,000, 1.3 kilograms of fentanyl, almost 650 grams of methamphetamine, and smaller amounts of cocaine.

The FBI and Rockingham County Sheriff's Office led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Strafford County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Jarad E. Hodes prosecuted the case.