Franklin man sentenced to prison for drug, firearm charges

A Franklin man was sentenced to state prison on Friday for drug and firearm charges after making multiple sales of fentanyl.

Michael Brownell pleaded guilty to five counts of sale of a controlled drug, all subsequent offenses and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to Attorney General John M. Formella. He was also found guilty of violating his probation terms from a previous offense.

Brownell made five sales of fentanyl to a confidential informant between December 2024 and Janurary 2025. The amount of fentanyl sold totaled around 475 grams. Brownell had two firearms on him when he was arrested, despite previously being convicted of a felony.

The Merrimack County Superior Court sentenced Brownell to 15 to 30 years for the sale of drugs and three-and-a-half to seven years for possession of a firearm, all served in state prison. The court also issued him six to 12 years of a previously suspended sentence after Brownell admitted to violating his probation terms.