A Dominican man, Joel Castillo-Soto, pleaded guilty on March 19 in federal court to charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and illegal reentry after deportation, according to U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Samantha Elliot scheduled sentencing for June 25.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address both drug trafficking and immigration violations. Castillo-Soto faces significant penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for each charge, supervised release, and substantial fines.
Court documents show that the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating methamphetamine sales in Rochester, New Hampshire in early 2024. The investigation involved a cooperating source who communicated with Ariel Castillo-Solano—using the identity of Jose Antonio Santiago—and arranged multiple drug transactions totaling more than five pounds of methamphetamine between October 2024 and January 2025. Later negotiations included an additional planned sale of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl for $69,000.
On January 24, Castillo-Solano met with an undercover officer in Seabrook and indicated his brother would deliver the drugs. Castillo-Soto then arrived via Uber and delivered the substances before being arrested along with Castillo-Solano by DEA agents.
Castillo-Solano previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on March 12. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations.
