June 17 (UPI) — Federal authorities have charged three men who allegedly harassed two journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio and vandalized the home of one of the victims.
Tucker Cockerline, Michael Waselchuck and Keenan Saniatan have been charged with conspiring to commit stalking through interstate travel, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said in a statement.
Cockerline and Waselchuck were arrested Friday morning and have been detained pending a hearing scheduled for June 20. Saniatan remains at large.
The harassment and vandalism began in March and April 2022 after NHPR journalist Lauren Chooljian investigated sexual misconduct allegations against Eric Spofford, founder and former CEO of Granite Recovery Centers — one of the largest addiction treatment providers in New England.
NHPR, using independent reporters and journalists, detailed the harassment against Chooljian in a subsequent article as the Middlesex County District Attorney and police in four towns began investigating the vandals.
Such vandalism included throwing a brick through the window of Chooljian’s home in Hanover and spray painting a derogatory expletive targeting women on the front door. The vandals also targeted the home of Chooljian’s family members in Concord as well as the home of her editor.
“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 attorney to WBUR.
“I also don’t need to vandalize someone’s property. I have truth on my side, and I will vindicate myself through lawful means.”
The federal complaint, obtained by WBUR, alleges that an associate of Spofford recruited at least to of the suspects to carry out the vandalism. It was not immediately clear if Spofford is a target of the investigation.
“The critical role that the press plays in our society goes back to the founding of our nation,” said acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy.
“Today’s charges should send a clear message that the Department of Justice will not tolerate harassment or intimidation of journalists. If you engage in this type of vicious and vindictive behavior you will be held accountable.”
If convicted, each of the men faces a sentence of up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release. The men could also face a fine of up to $250,000 and could be ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
Local News
Three people were killed Sunday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on an Interstate 93 off-ramp in Salem, New Hampshire, officials said.
Troopers responded to a reported crash on the Exit 2 off-ramp just after 2 p.m., New Hampshire State Police said in a news release. A preliminary investigation determined a 2012 white Kia Sportage was traveling south on the off-ramp when it veered off the road, traveled through a grassy area, and struck a culvert, according to police.
The SUV’s driver, 71-year-old Rodney J. Dore, of Pelham, and two passengers — Anne J. Dore, 70, of Pelham, and Lisana M. Alexander, 45, of Salem — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Part of the off-ramp was temporarily shut down while troopers investigated, according to the release. Officials did not share any details on what might have caused the fatal crash.
New Hampshire State Police encouraged anyone with information that could help the investigation to contact Trooper Mark Lingerman at 603-223-4381 or [email protected].
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A pair of siblings suffering from the early stages of hypothermia was rescued from the Lincoln Brook Trail in Franconia, N.H., early Sunday after they fell into the brook twice, soaking two sets of clothes amid near-freezing temperatures, officials said.
Xander Dalke, 20, of Hanover, N.H., and Aylen Dalke, 18, of South Hadley, Mass., had begun a planned two-day hike around Owl’s Head Mountain about 7 a.m., but their plans were disrupted when the pair fell into Lincoln Brook, according to a statement released by New Hampshire Fish and Game.
The siblings changed into dry clothing, but later fell into the water a second time, soaking their remaining clothes, according to the statement. Temperatures in Franconia were nearly freezing at the time, according to the National Weather Service.
After falling into the water, the hikers decided to make camp and attempt to warm themselves, but upon setting up a tent, they began experiencing the early stages of hypothermia, according to the statement. Both hikers came well equipped, and used a satellite messaging device to contact Dartmouth Outdoor Programs despite not having cellular phone service.
Coordinates from the device showed the pair was located more than 8 miles from the trailhead, according to the statement.
Conservation officers were notified of the rescue request around 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the statement. Around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, two conservation officers reached the tent site and found the Dalke siblings inside sleeping bags. The siblings were given dry clothing, and around 3:30 a.m. they began hiking back to the trailhead, where they arrived around 7:15 a.m.
No further injuries were reported. Officials did not specify whether the pair required medical attention.
Conservation officers encourage any prospective hikers to expect wintry conditions and to prepare for hikes with essential equipment, including “a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, headlamp, fire starter, first aid kit, whistle, rain/wind jackets & pants, and a knife,” according to the statement.
Collin Robisheaux can be reached at collin.robisheaux@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @ColRobisheaux.
3 people are deceased as New Hampshire State Police investigate a crash on the Interstate 93 ramp in Salem, N.H.
State Troopers, alongside members of the Salem Fire Department and New Hampshire Department of Transportation, were dispatched at 2:02pm for a report of a single-vehicle crash at the Exit 2 offramp from 1-93 Southbound.
Initial investigations believed that the vehicle, a 2012 KIA Sportage, had veered off onto the right side of the offramp, traveling through the grass, and then striking a culvert. The vehicle immediately stopped.
Both the driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver has been identified as Rodney J. Dore, 71, of Pelham. The passengers were identified as Anne J. Dore, 70, also of Pelham, and Lisana M. Alexander, 45, of Salem.
The offramp was closed for a short period of time while troopers conducted initial investigations before reopening around 6pm.
As the investigation continues, N.H. State Police are urging the public with any information to contact Trooper Mark Lingerman at 603-223-4381 or mark.n.lingerman@dos.nh.gov.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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