Former Seacoast Sex Offender, Now In Concord, Faces Sexual Assault Charges

CONCORD, NH — A felon and registered sex offender who has been living in Concord for about a year is facing more charges after being accused of sexually assaulting and fondling a girl in August.

Concord police began an investigation into Brian Garrigan, 41, of North Main Street in Concord, in late August after a detective received a report from the Division of Children, Youth, and Families about a possible sexual assault case involving a teenage girl. The information reported to DCYF was anonymous, and second- or third-hand, involving a sex offender and sexual activity that occurred recently, the report said.

The detective looked into the information and realized the subject was a sex offender due to possession of child sex abuse images conviction in September 2017 out of Rockingham County Superior Court after an incident in Seabrook in August 2016. Garrigan was also convicted of indecent language, solicit another to commit offense, and indecent exposure while in the military, leading to a dishonorable discharge in February 2011, violation of privacy in August 2016 out of Seabrook District Court, and registration of online identifiers in September 2017 in Rockingham County Superior Court. He also registered online with Concord police in August and November 2021 and February and May, as required, an affidavit said.

A search warrant for his cellphone was requested, and three days later, Verizon fulfilled the request, with the detective discovering the phone number connected to a woman outside of Concord and a 15-year-old girl.

Detectives went to speak to the woman and also the victim to discuss the matter. They found out the girl had two cellphones and secured permission for a search warrant on the second phone from a parent. While doing this, the victim asked if the visit was about Garrigan, a report said.

During “a minimal facts interview” with detectives, the girl was questioned, and she admitted to contacting Garrigan “erroneously,” meeting with him, and engaging in sexual activity, an affidavit said.

On Aug. 30, the victim was interviewed at the Merrimack County Child Advocacy Center and made “numerous disclosures” about the encounter. The victim said she found Garrigan’s cellphone number written on a dock in Alton a few weeks before. She also told investigators she knew Garrigan was a sex offender, they exchanged pictures, and chatted, the report said. The victim said the activity occurred in both Andover and Northfield, the affidavit said. The victim also described Garrigan's vehicle and that he used a GPS unit for driving navigation, the report said.

The next day, parole took custody of Garrigan based on “statements he made during a home visit and information observed by (the officer) on Garrigan’s cellphone.” He was accused of communicating with a teenage girl, saying he was in love with her and had an in-person meeting with her that involved illegal activity.

Concord police searched his apartment and a Ford Focus, which matched a description given by the victim, and located items described by the victim, the affidavit said. Detectives also found a termination letter from an employer from late July — something Garrigan was required to tell the police as part of his sex registration requirement, the report said.

A search of the girl’s cellphone also revealed text messages and communications showing Garrigan knew she was underage, an affidavit stated.

Garrigan was interviewed at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men on Sept. 15 and confirmed his cellphone, vehicle, and job layoff, an affidavit said, but when asked about the victim, invoked his 5th amendment right not to speak, and the interview ended.

A warrant was issued for Garrigan’s arrest, and he was charged on Sept. 19 with felonious sexual assault and sex offender registration; knowingly fail to comply charges, both felonies, and two misdemeanor sexual assault charges.

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