A former resident of Manchester and convicted sex offender, James Aubuchont, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young made the announcement following the sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante.
Aubuchont, aged 53, pleaded guilty on June 13, 2024, to charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
"A violent sex offender possessed two firearms and enough ammunition to equip a small militia," stated U.S. Attorney Young. "Today’s significant sentence demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to ensuring that felons who possess firearms face swift consequences for their repeated disregard of the law."
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division, emphasized the importance of removing violent offenders from communities to ensure public safety. "This case highlights the dangers posed by violent individuals who unlawfully possess firearms and ammunition," he said.
Aubuchont's criminal history spans over thirty years. In July 2023, authorities issued a state warrant for his arrest, leading to his capture near Flat Mountain Pond Shelter in the White Mountains on July 12, 2023. During a recorded jail call, Aubuchont asked his then-romantic partner Rebecca Aubuchont to retrieve his two “fishing rods” from his campsite—coded language referring to firearms—and shortly after, law enforcement recovered a rifle and pistol along with over 2,000 rounds of ammunition from that location.
Further investigation revealed that during another recorded call from jail, Aubuchont referred to certain property as "garbage," which turned out to be a damaged cell phone containing an intact Micro SD card with over 1,300 images and 140 videos of child sex abuse materials.
Currently serving a separate state sentence ranging from 33 years to life for aggravated felonious sexual assault among other charges related to child pornography, Aubuchont's legal troubles continue.
Rebecca Aubuchont admitted guilt on July 2, 2024, for straw purchasing one firearm for him and is set for sentencing on December 9, 2024.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation with assistance from Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Forest Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander S. Chen and Tiffany A. Scanlon.