A Laconia man has been sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for firearms offenses, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack.
Joshua McLean, aged 39, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. In March 2025, McLean pleaded guilty to multiple charges including three counts of possession of firearms and ammunition by a prohibited person and two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack commented on the case stating, "As a convicted felon, the defendant was prohibited from owning any firearms, yet he chose to surround himself with unregistered and illegal deadly weapons." He added that McLean's involvement in drug trafficking increased the threat he posed and emphasized their commitment to removing armed individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms.
Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Boston Division remarked on the seriousness of the offense: "The defendant’s possession of firearms while trafficking drugs jeopardizes public safety and is compounded by the trafficking of firearms with obliterated serial numbers which only serve illicit purposes."
Court documents reveal that McLean sold six firearms to an undercover officer knowing some had obliterated serial numbers; one was identified as a sawed-off shotgun. A search of his home uncovered another firearm along with ammunition and distribution quantities of illegal drugs. Due to a previous felony drug conviction, McLean was legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Violent Crime Task Force with assistance from police departments in Laconia, Manchester, and Tilton. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski prosecuted the case.