A Federal Court has sentenced Michael Bowling, a 49-year-old resident of Arizona, to 90 months in prison for the distribution of methamphetamine through the United States Postal Service (USPS). The drugs were shipped to New Hampshire, and Bowling was found guilty of the crime.
On Monday, the federal court in Concord conducted the sentencing.
U.S. District Court Judge Samantha D. Elliott has sentenced Bowling to 90 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, according to an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
The supplier used fictitious return addresses to evade law enforcement while shipping packages of methamphetamine from Arizona to New Hampshire in 2021.
The defendant attempted to send three packages of methamphetamine to his Lakes Region co-conspirators, but the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized them despite his efforts. The packages contained more than 600 grams of methamphetamine.
Upon being apprehended in his residence in Arizona, the defendant made a confession of having sent the methamphetamine to New Hampshire through mail. Law enforcement officials were present during the arrest.
On April 11, 2024, Bowling admitted his guilt in a case that involved the distribution of methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and two counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
Bowling was apprehended by law enforcement authorities at his residence in Arizona. During the interrogation, he confessed to mailing the methamphetamine to New Hampshire.
U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young stated that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal investigative partners have invested considerable resources in preventing drug trafficking through mail into New Hampshire. The Court’s decision to impose a lengthy prison sentence emphasizes the gravity of utilizing federal resources to facilitate the illegal distribution of drugs. Young warned that those who transport harmful drugs via USPS should reconsider their actions as law enforcement is closely monitoring the situation and ready to take action.
The New Hampshire USPIS and DEA Manchester District Office spearheaded the investigation, with the assistance of the USPIS Phoenix Division, DEA Phoenix Field Division I, Meredith Police Department, Belknap County Drug Task Force, New Hampshire State Police, and the USPIS Denver, Washington, and Fort Worth Divisions. Together, they worked in collaboration to uncover the truth.
According to Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, the sentencing handed down today serves as a clear warning that drug trafficking activities facilitated through the U.S. Mail will not be accepted. The Inspector credited the success of the investigation to the solid partnerships fostered by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
