Three New Hampshire men were charged with conspiracy to harass and intimidate two journalists after one of the suspects was caught on camera throwing a brick at a home.
Tucker Cockerline, 32, and Michael Waselchuck, 35, were arrested Friday morning and, after making an initial appearance in a federal court in Boston, were detained until a hearing scheduled for June 20, while Keenan Saniatan, 36, remains at large.
The charges come after a year of investigations following incidents at several houses in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts connected to the journalists, the US Attorney’s Office said Friday.
The two journalists, employees at New Hampshire Public Radio, were targeted at their homes after they released an investigative report against a New Hampshire businessman.
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The alleged harassment began after NHPR reporter Lauren Chooljian and editor Dan Barrick published an article in March 2022 regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct against Eric Spofford, a recovering drug addict who founded New Hampshire’s largest network of addiction treatment centers, according to NHPR.
Chooljian reported Spofford’s Granite Recovery Center was awarded more than $3 million in no-bid contracts from the state of New Hampshire since 2019.
Tucker Cockerline, Michael Waselchuck, and Keenan Saniatan, were all charged, by criminal complaint, with conspiring to commit stalking through interstate travel.WMUR-TV/YouTube
In April 2022, a brick was thrown through a front window at Chooljian’s former residence in Hanover, NH where graffiti appeared with the c-word written out in red spray paint, the same night Barrick’s Concord house was also struck by a rock with the same word written on the door.
Chooljian’s parents’ house in Hampstead, NH was also attacked by a softball-sized rock, and the garage door also tagged with graffiti.
One month later, Chooljian’s parents’ home was again vandalized with the colorful word, while Chooljian’s own home in Melrose, Massachusetts was hit by a large brick and the phrase “JUST THE BEGINNING” spray painted to the front of the house.
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The three men conspired together along with at least one other man allegedly identified as a close personal associate of Spofford.
“The charging documents allege that Cockerline, Saniatan, and Waselchuck are responsible for committing all five of these vandalisms,” according to the press release.
Cockerline and Waselchuck were arrested Friday morning and, after making an initial appearance in a federal court in Boston.WMUR-TV/YouTube
Spofford denied having any connection with any of the vandalism.
“Not only was I completely uninvolved with these incidents of vandalism, I also do not support or condone them.” Spofford said in a statement through his attorneys in May 2022. “I also don’t need to vandalize someone’s property. I have truth on my side, and I will vindicate myself through lawful means.”
Spofford is suing the radio station for defamation, but a Superior Judge dismissed the case, but the judge will be reviewing notes and recordings created by Chooljian, according to court documents.
“The critical role that the press plays in our society goes back to the founding of our nation,” Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a press release. “Today’s charges should send a clear message that the Department of Justice will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of journalists.” Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy said in a press release.
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“If you engage in this type of vicious and vindictive behavior you will be held accountable,” Levy added.
The two journalists, employees at New Hampshire Public Radio, were targeted at their homes after they released an investigative report against a New Hampshire businessman. WMUR-TV/YouTube One of the three men was caught on camera throwing a brick at the house in Melrose.WMUR-TV/YouTube
“Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of any healthy democracy and these three men are now accused of infringing on that freedom by conspiring to harass and intimidate two New Hampshire journalists who were simply doing their jobs,” said Christopher DiMenna, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division. “Everyone has a right to express their opinion, but taking it over the line and committing vandalism will not be tolerated.”
The three suspects face up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 and restitution.
BEDFORD, N.H. (WHDH) – A Bedford, New Hampshire police officer was rushed to the hospital early Saturday morning after suffering a gunshot wound during a struggle with a suspect who was attempting to remove their firearm from their holster, officials said.
Officers responding to a report of a suspicious person at the Country Inn & Suites on South River Road around 1 a.m. spotted the suspect take off on foot, according to a department spokesperson.
During a struggle with one of the officers, a gun was discharged when the suspect tried to take it out of the officer’s holster.
The injured officer was taken to a Manchester hospital with what was believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
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The suspect, whose name has not been released, is in custody and is expected to be arraigned on criminal charges.
No additional information was immediately available.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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A 12-year-old has died in a horrific accident after plowing into a tree while skiing in New Hampshire, said officials.
The young boy had been skiing at the Cranmore Mountain Resort on New Year’s Eve when he crashed into the tree, said Conway Police Department Thursday.
North Conway Fire and Rescue responded to the accident at the popular ski resort late morning after receiving reports of an unconscious boy on Skimobile Road in North Conway.
The child, who remains unidentified, had been skiing down The Bandit trail, which is listed as an intermediate run.
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CPR was quickly initiated at the scene and he was rushed to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.
“When rescue personnel arrived on scene, the 12-year-old male was being treated by Cranmore Mountain Ski Patrol who had transported the boy to the base of the mountain,” the police said in a statement.
“He was then transported by Action Ambulance to Maine Health Memorial Hospital in North Conway where he passed as a result of the injuries sustained in the collision,” officials added.
“On behalf of the Conway Police Department, and all the first responders who assisted, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family members of the 12-year-old boy,” said Conway Police Chief Christopher Mattei.
When approached for comment a Cranmore Mountain Resort spokesperson told The Independent: “On behalf of Cranmore Mountain Resort, our thoughts, and prayers go out to the family. The entire Cranmore family grieves this tragic loss.”
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When asked to comment on the number of incidents that have occurred at the Cranmore resort, the spokesperson did not respond.
Last March a 14-year-old boy died after crashing into a tree while snowboarding down a beginner trail on Dercum Mountain in Colorado.
Levi Inama had been a student at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument when the ski patrol was called then to a “serious incident.” The teenager died days later after being taken off life support at a Denver hospital, reported The Colorado Sun.
The Independent contacted the Conway Police Department for further information.
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