Franklin Felon Indicted On Throat Cutting, Knife Threat, Other Charges: Court

CONCORD, NH — The following people were indicted recently in Merrimack County Superior Court.

Ninajo Merchant, 44, of South Main Street in Franklin on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-methamphetamine charge on May 29, 2021, in Franklin.

Nickalye L. Merchant, 26, of Franklin, incarcerated at the time of the indictment, on first-degree assault, criminal restraint, reckless conduct, and felon in possession of weapon charges, all felonies. He was accused of cutting an intimate partner’s throat with a knife and threatening her as well by saying “you’re not leaving” or words to that effect on Oct. 12, 2021, in Franklin. He is a felon due to a felony receiving stolen property conviction in July 2016.

Andrew J. Mitza, 32, of Prescott Avenue in Laconia on a simple assault against a law enforcement officer charge. He was accused of biting a Concord police officer on Nov. 5, 2021. Read more about this case here: Laconia Man Accused Of Biting Concord Officer, Grabbing Onto Gun

Adam Montgomery, 39, of U.S. Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine, on possession of fentanyl and possession of methamphetamine charges, both felonies, on Aug. 29, 2021, in Hooksett.

Jennifer Doherty, 42, of Back Road in Hill on a felony tampering with witnesses and informants charge. She was accused of requesting another woman to withhold testimony by saying, “Don’t do this to me,” and/or “You will be sorry,” or words to that effect on Oct. 4, 2021, in Franklin.

Patrick Evans, 37, of Highland Street in Allenstown on possession of meth, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and three possession of fentanyl charges, all felonies. He was accused of being in possession of the drugs on March 20, 2021, in Allenstown.

Laura Hazelton, 31, of West Bow Street in Franklin on felony controlled drug act: sale of fentanyl charge on May 7, 2021, in Franklin.

Zachary Markva, 31, of Pleasant Street in Franklin on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-fluorofentanyl charge on May 10, 2021, in Franklin.

Steven Means, 57, of Wildwood Avenue in Bristol on a felony conspiracy: tampering with witnesses and informants charge. He was accused of agreeing with Dana Nikolais to contact family members between Aug. 3, and Aug. 12, 2021, in Boscawen, in an effort to influence the outcome of a domestic violence assault case.

Melanie L. Michael, 42, of Dearborn Road in Northfield on possession of a fentanyl and tramadol mix, possession of meth, and possession of a fentanyl and meth mix charges, all felonies, on Feb. 1 and March 12, 2021, in Franklin. Previously, according to the indictment, she was convicted on an acts prohibited charge in Concord District Court.

Joshua R. Plante, 25, of Garvins Falls Road in Concord on a felony possession of fentanyl charge on Nov. 3, 2020, in Allenstown.

Ryan Cormier, 31, of Granite Street in Manchester on a felony conspiracy theft by unauthorized taking charge. He was accused of agreeing with Nikolas Carr to commit a theft on White Sands Road in Pembroke on June 18, 2021.

Benjamin Brown, 81, of Webster Avenue in Franklin on two felonious sexual assault-domestic violence charges. He was accused of assaulting a girl in 2016 in Franklin.

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 the removal request process for New Hampshire Patch police reports.

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