Convicted Drug Enterprise Leader Sentenced To 25 To 50 Years In Prison

MANCHESTER, NH — Marcus Cherry, 45, of Manchester, appeared Friday in front of Honorable Judge David Anderson for sentencing following a jury finding him guilty of conspiracy to sell a controlled drug, drug enterprise leads, and multiple counts of possession of a controlled drug with an intent to sell.

Cherry, who has multiple previous convictions on drug-related charges, faced up to life in prison based on a sentencing mandate of 25 years to life. Several family members, including Cherry’s wife and others supporting him, sat in the courtroom. Many had provided the court with statements of support in letters provided.

Cherry’s defense attorney spoke of Cherry’s rough childhood and upbringing and pointed to childhood trauma as being a reason to provide a lighter sentence. It was suggested that although the mandatory sentence minimum is 25 years, the defense asked that 13 years of that be suspended.

A supporter of Cherry spoke about Cherry turning his life around and that he had found a new successful technique to make money gambling as an alternative to selling drugs. He urged the court to provide the suspended sentence.

Anderson sentenced Cherry to 25 to 50 years in the New Hampshire State Prison for men, stand committed on the counts of conspiracy to sell a controlled drug, drug enterprise leader, four counts of possession of a controlled drug with the intent to sell (1 kilogram of cocaine, 215 grams of methamphetamine, 635 grams of fentanyl), and 7.5 to 15 years on the count of sale of a controlled drug. According to the Attorney General's Office, the court ordered the defendant’s sentences to be served concurrently.

The evidence in this case established Cherry was the leader of a drug enterprise trafficking large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in New Hampshire. The investigation revealed, in addition to engaging in the distribution of powder fentanyl and cocaine, the defendant possessed more than two thousand counterfeit pills designed to look like prescription medications. The pills consisted of either methamphetamine or fentanyl.

“I want to thank our law enforcement partners, including the Manchester Police Department, the Hooksett Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, the DEA, and the FBI for their diligent work on this long-term investigation,” said Attorney General John Formella. “This case is an example of the continuing collaborative work between the Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners to protect the public from the dangers that large-scale drug dealers, who sell extraordinarily dangerous substances like fentanyl, xylazine, and methamphetamine, pose to the citizens of New Hampshire.”

A hearing to discuss the forfeiture of $240,000 in assets will be scheduled in the coming months.

Assistant Attorney General Charles Bucca and Assistant Attorney General Ryan Olberding prosecuted the case.

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