Four New Hampshire men have been charged with conspiring to stalk and terrorize two local reporters from New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). According to the U.S. Department of Justice, these individuals allegedly vandalized and targeted the homes of the two journalists and their immediate family members on multiple occasions, sending a clear message that the freedom of the press could be in peril.
Among those charged are 46-year-old Eric Labarge of Nashua, 32-year-old Tucker Cockerline of Salem, 35-year-old Michael Waselchuck of Seabrook, and 36-year-old Keenan Saniatan of Nashua. Labarge, who was arrested earlier today, is expected to appear in federal court in Boston. The others were arrested earlier this year, and remain in custody.
The indictment comes after a year-long investigation into allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire business person, identified in court documents as Subject 1. In response to an article published by the two targeted NHPR journalists in March 2022, it is alleged that Labarge, who is said to be a close personal associate of Subject 1, and the other three defendants conspired to harass, intimidate, and terrorize the journalists and their families for their role in exposing the truth.
The alleged crimes include brutal incidents that occurred from April to May 2022. Among them are the vandalism of one journalist's former residence in Hanover using a brick and red spray paint, as well as the stalking and scare tactics targeting the same journalist's parents' home in Hampstead. This string of harassment and intimidation continued with the graffiti and rock throwing incidents at the home of the second journalist in Concord.
Sentences for the indicted individuals could result in up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and restitution, if found guilty.
