New Hampshire Felon With ‘Violent Tendencies’ Not Seen Since June 2019

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is asking for the public’s help finding a felon wanted for a probation violation who has not been seen for more than four and a half years.

Joshua E. Shaffer, 38, is white, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighs around 165 pounds. He has brown eyes and dirty blonde-strawberry blonde hair. Shaffer has many tattoos, officials said.

According to superior court records, Shaffer was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, second-degree assault-strangulation, and reckless conduct-deadly weapon in September 2018 after an incident in Bristol. He pleaded guilty to the reckless conduct charge in March 2019 and the other charges were nolle prossed.

Shaffer received a 90-day jail sentence and 84 days of credit for time served. He was also given two years probation. About two months later, he was accused of violating probation.

“The probation stems from a domestic violence incident in which Shaffer discharged a shotgun in front of his residence after exiting the property,” according to corrections officials. “Prior to the firearm discharge, the victim in the case sustained injuries from an assault.”

Shaffer previously lived in Bristol and also Watervliet, New York, officials said. He was also convicted of domestic violence in 2019, according to the notice. A “violent tendencies” warning was put on Shaffer’s fugitive status due to his prior convictions.

If you know where Shaffer is or see someone who looks like him, do not try to apprehend him. Contact the police or the corrections department at 603-271-1804.

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