New Hampshire

N.H. man sentenced for conspiracy to harass and intimidate two NHPR journalists – The Boston Globe

Published

3 months ago

September 1, 2024

N.H. man sentenced for conspiracy to harass and intimidate two NHPR journalists – The Boston Globe

A New Hampshire man was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison last week for his involvement in the harassment and intimidation of two New Hampshire Public Radio journalists, officials said.

Tucker Cockerline, 33, of Salem, N.H., was sentenced Tuesday to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in the 2022 conspiracy, which included the vandalism of the homes of the reporters and one reporter’s parents with bricks, large rocks, and red spray paint on five separate occasions, the US attorney’s office said in a statement Thursday.

Cockerline was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in June 2023, and he pleaded guilty last December in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to commit stalking through interstate travel and using a facility of interstate commerce, prosecutors said.

He was one of four men indicted in connection with the conspiracy, alongside Eric Labarge, Michael Waselchuck, and Keenan Saniatan, prosecutors said.

Labarge and Waselchuck have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Saniatan is expected to plead guilty this month, prosecutors said.

The harassment and vandalism began after one of the journalists published an article in March 2022 detailing allegations against a former New Hampshire businessperson, prosecutors said. A second NHPR journalist contributed to the article.

Though prosecutors didn’t identify the reporters or the businessperson, the case involves NHPR’s reporting on allegations of sexual misconduct against Eric Spofford, founder of Granite Recovery Centers, a network of addiction rehabilitation centers in New Hampshire, the Globe reported.

Spofford has denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crimes related to NHPR’s reporting or the harassment campaign, the Globe reported.

In 2022, after the article was published, Labarge, who officials called “a close personal associate of” the businessperson, along with Cockerline, Waselchuck, and allegedly Saniatan, “agreed to harass and intimidate” the two journalists and their immediate family members, prosecutors said.

Cockerline and Saniatan were allegedly “solicited” to commit the vandalism and harassment by Labarge, prosecutors said.

On the night of April 24, 2022, Cockerline spray-painted a vulgar term related to female anatomy in large red letters on the front door of the first journalist’s former home in Hanover, N.H., and threw a brick through a window, the statement said.

Also that night, Saniatan allegedly spray-painted the same vulgar term on the front door of the second journalist’s home in Concord, N.H., and threw a large rock at the home, prosecutors said. He then “allegedly threw a softball-sized rock” through a window and spray-painted the same word on the first journalist’s parents’ home in Hampstead, N.H., according to prosecutors.

On May 20, 2022, Cockerline spray-painted the same word on the first journalist’s parents’ home and left a brick on the ground near the front door, prosecutors said.

Several hours later, Waselchuck, who Cockerline recruited, threw a brick through a window of the first journalist’s Melrose home and left a warning reading, “JUST THE BEGINNING!” in large red letters, prosecutors said.

Material from prior Globe stories was used in this report.

Ava Berger can be reached at ava.berger@globe.com. Follow her @Ava_Berger_.

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New Hampshire

Karoline Leavitt is “uniquely qualified” to be Trump’s press secretary, her NH college mentor says

Published

3 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

Karoline Leavitt is “uniquely qualified” to be Trump’s press secretary, her NH college mentor says

MANCHESTER, N.H. – New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt is set to become the youngest White House press secretary in history after President-elect Donald Trump announced last week that he would name her to the position. It’s a job that her former college mentor says the 27-year-old is “uniquely qualified for.”

Neil Levesque is the executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, which is Leavitt’s alma mater. He told WBZ-TV that he worked with her on an almost daily basis while she was a student and they still keep in touch.

“She’s probably one of the best students I’ve ever seen in front of a television camera,” Levesque said. “She answers questions with not only just razor-sharp answers, but also she has an optimism, a sort of cheerfulness to her that I think sometimes catches people off guard.”

Who is Karoline Leavitt?

Leavitt was the first Republican “Gen Z” congressional nominee in 2022, but lost in the general election. She worked in the White House Press Office during Trump’s first term and then served as his 2024 campaign press secretary.

Trump said in a statement that “Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator.”

“Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored,” Leavitt wrote in a social media post.

Trump’s White House press secretary

The Trump White House did not always have regular press briefings during his first term, with the former president preferring to serve as his own chief spokesperson. Trump was asked at a campaign briefing this summer if the press secretary would have a bigger role this time around.

“Probably they’ll do something. If it’s not daily, it’s going to be a lot,” Trump said. “You’ll have more than you want.”

Levesque highlighted the challenges Leavitt will face when speaking for the White House.

“Obviously the job of being White House press secretary is someone who’s being watched around the world,” he said. “Statements that you have to make on behalf of the president of the United States have to be perfect.”

Like Trump, Leavitt has repeatedly blasted the mainstream media as “fake news.” But Levesque said he expects her to get along well with reporters covering the White House.

“The press corps is probably going to find her an enjoyable person to work with every day,” Levesque said. “She is fearless.”

Neal Riley

Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.

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New Hampshire

New Hampshire Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Nov. 18, 2024

Published

11 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Press Room

The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Monday, Nov. 18, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

27-31-41-52-69, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

04-09-10-28-29, Lucky Ball: 01

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

Day: 2-4-5

Evening: 4-0-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

Day: 1-2-2-5

Evening: 6-9-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Megabucks Plus numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

03-12-16-24-25, Megaball: 04

Check Megabucks Plus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Nov. 18 drawing

20-23-33-37-39

Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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