Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Trafficking, Gun Offenses In Bedford

CONCORD, NH — An Auburn man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearms offenses after police seized drugs, cash and a firearm from him at a Bedford hotel last summer. Joshua Simard, 31, pleaded guilty in federal court this week and is scheduled for sentencing in September, U.S. Attorney Scott Murray announced Wednesday.

Simard's charges stem from a July 31 incident, when he encountered police at a Bedford hotel. According to Murray, officers seized two backpacks from him, containing more than $6,000 in cash, a handgun and ammunition, more than 150 grams of cocaine, digital scales and a suspected drug ledger.

"Guns and drugs are a potentially lethal combination," said Murray. "When drug traffickers possess firearms, they pose a very serious danger to the community. In order to protect the public, we will aggressively prosecute armed drug dealers."

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Bedford Police Department conducted the investigation into Simard's case. Simard is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 16.