Juan Nolasco Batlle, age 42, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced on July 23. Batlle is scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord at a later date.
If convicted, Batlle faces a mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years and a maximum prison term of life. He could also be fined up to $10 million or both. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern sentencing in criminal cases.
The indictment details are allegations at this stage; the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation into this case with assistance from the Hillsborough County Street Crimes Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire enhances community well-being by enforcing federal laws and safeguarding residents, functions under the United States Attorney General’s direction, handles prosecutions of federal crimes and civil cases involving the government, serves the state through federal court representation, builds alliances with law enforcement agencies and community members at various levels, and operates as a federal law enforcement entity according to the official website.