Franklin man charged with 13 counts of drug and gun offenses by Merrimack County grand jury

A Franklin man is facing a lifetime in prison following a list of 13 drug and gun-related charges, including trafficking and sales. 

Michael Brownwell, 40, was indicted by a Merrimack County grand jury and faces multiple accusations, including six counts of selling or intending to sell more than five grams of fentanyl and one count of possessing more than five ounces of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Because Brownwell had been arrested before, these charges were considered ‘special’ felonies and are punishable by up to life imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, or both.

He faces lesser drug felonies that would be punishable by seven and a half years to fifteen years imprisonment, a $200,000 fine. He also faces two counts of felon in possession of a deadly weapon, which are punishable by up to three and a half years to seven years imprisonment, a $4,000 fine, or both. 

Brownwell was indicted for his conduct in December 2024 and January 2025. 

Yaa Bame can be reached at ybame@cmonitor.com