Concord Man Faces Rape And Child Endangerment Charges

CONCORD, NH — A Concord man is facing felony rape and endangerment charges after a victim reported an incident from about nine years ago, according to a police investigation.

In September 2020, police opened an investigation into a possible aggravated felonious sexual assault incident from 2011 or 2012 involving John Conkle against a girl. At the time of the incident, Conkle was living on Jennings Drive.

An officer met with the girl and a family member concerning the allegation after she made a random comment during an online learning class. The family member was shocked by the statement and called the police. The victim was interviewed about the allegation and then met with counselors at the Merrimack County Child Advocacy Center. During interviews, the girl's comments were consistent and she relayed the same information each time.

In mid-October 2020, Conkle was interviewed at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men. It is unknown why he was in prison but he was previously convicted of armed robbery of a gas station, the former Irving station, on North State Street. He was interviewed one day shy of the fifth-year anniversary of his arrest for the robbery.

Conkle was asked about the allegation the girl made and called it "bullsh-t." When asked why he thought the girl might raise the allegation, Conkle blamed her family members who did not like him. He accused them of putting things in her head, an affidavit stated, although he did admit to being alone with the girl, at times. The affidavit also stated Conkle admitted to substance abuse issues and blacking out.

The detective raised issues about Conkle lying in the past, including during the 2015 gas station robbery investigation, but he stood firm.

"I believe she's lying," Conkle reportedly told the detective.

In mid-November 2020, other family members of the victim were interviewed and stated the victim shared the shocking allegation with them but she did not go into details. They also denied planting the allegation into the victim's head, shaking their heads in disbelief at the assertion, the detective wrote. Conkle was great at coming up with stories, one of the victim's family members said to the detective.

A few days later, the detective issued an arrest warrant for Conkle, 45, of an unknown address, on aggravated felonious sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child or incompetent charges, both felonies. He was arrested on Feb. 24.

According to superior court records, Conkle was previously convicted on robbery and receiving stolen property-criminal liability for the conduct of another charges out of Manchester in November 1995. He was arrested in August 2014 on a warrant as well as simple assault and criminal mischief charges after an incident in Kimball Park. The warrant was on two contempt capiases for child support. He was also served with a no-trespass order from all Concord Housing Authority properties. A few months later, he was cited for panhandling at the Fort Eddy Road Plaza. In September 2015, he was cited again for panhandling outside L.L. Bean.

Conkle was convicted on the armed robbery charge out of Concord in March 2016 and was sentenced to a minimum of three years and six months in prison with a maximum sentence of seven years. He was approved for work release in July 2018.

Editor's note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Concord Police Department and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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