CONCORD, NH — A Queen City man, with seven active cases in two superior courts, who is also facing new robbery charges after two incidents in March, is expected to reach a plea deal later this month on some of the cases, according to testimony in Merrimack County Superior Court on Friday.
Jayden Ballam-Quiah, 20, had his bail revoked earlier this month and was back in court for a plea and sentencing hearing on the other cases — including felony receiving stolen property in Pembroke in July 2023; felony reckless conduct-deadly weapon in Concord in January 2024; resisting arrest in Concord in July 2024; and felony delivery-weapon, contraband, etc., in November 2024 and two felony assault by prisoner-simple assault charges in December 2024, both at the Merrimack County Jail in Boscawen. He also faces a possible amended sentence after receiving a sweetheart deal — pleading to misdemeanor receiving stolen property after being charged with two felony counts of receiving stolen property connected to a stolen car, felonious use of a firearm, conduct after an accident, reckless operation, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, due to passengers under 18 being inside the stolen car during charges in July 2024.
The plea deal in the stolen car case also included counseling, treatment, and an educational program, as well as good behavior requirements, weekly review hearings with the court for the first 60 days, reports to Riverbend for mental health counseling, and a requirement not to possess a firearm or other weapons.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimack County Superior Court and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Ballam-Quiah was arrested again in April on breach of bail, criminal threatening, and two robbery charges, after incidents in March. He was accused of robbing a man during what one police officer said appeared to be a drug deal gone bad on West Street and then, pointing a gun with a laser target at another person a few hours later on the Concord Heights. Ballam-Quiah was also accused of robbery after an incident on the Concord Heights a little less than a week later.
Julian Jefferson, Ballam-Quiah’s new attorney, and Carley McWhirk, from the county attorney’s office, both said Friday they were close to a deal on the 2024 and 2025 charges but needed a little more time for filings. McWhirk said some were “a little more complex,” while Jefferson said they both wanted to ensure the court was on board with the proposals.
When asked by Judge Dan St. Hilaire whether the sentencing information was available for all the dockets, McWhirk said, No, and added the new charges were still pending and were not included in the agreement. Jefferson said, eventually, bail would convert to personal recognizance, and that would continue, “on its normal track,” but “all other cases would be resolved.” McWhirk said there would be a stand committed portion, suspended sentences, and probation.
St. Hilaire was asked about specific sentencing and was told by McWhirk that it was one 12-month sentence with all, but 90 days suspended, as well as other 12-month sentences that would be suspended, and two years of probation.
Regarding the March robbery charges, McWhirk said they would need to be separated, since two incidents were rolled into a single arrest by police in Concord. Jefferson agreed he did not know why there were not two separate filings.
St. Hilaire reconfirmed the specifics, and McWhirk said the attorneys wanted to make sure everything was worked out, which is why they needed more time. The judge asked how probation would be handled, and McWhirk said Ballam-Quiah would be living in Loudon with family.
“Correct,” Jefferson said, adding, “(a family member) is here. (He) has agreed to give (Ballam-Quiah) one last chance to have a safe and stable place.”
St. Hilaire asked the counselors to approach and spoke to them privately for about four and a half minutes.
After speaking with the attorneys, a new court date was set for May 13 to consider the final plea deals, and the hearing was adjourned.
It does not appear the June 2024 Seabrook stolen-vehicle and falsification-of-physical-evidence charges, working their way through Rockingham County Superior Court, were rolled into the Merrimack County plea deal. He was indicted on the charges in August 2025.
On April 28, Ballam-Quiah’s defense attorney, Yvonne Kinsella, withdrew from the Seabrook case and was later replaced by Jefferson. A status conference was scheduled for May 7, with the final pretrial to begin on Sept. 17 and jury selection slated for Oct. 5.
Ballam-Quiah, according to reports on Patch, has also been arrested on breach of bail, theft at a liquor store, transportation of alcohol, and unlawful possession-intoxication charges.
Ballam-Quiah is back in Merrimack County Superior Court for another plea and sentencing hearing on May 13 and a status conference on the robbery, threatening, and breach of bail charges on May 18.
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