Former Merrimack Cop Fabricated Records, Violated Driver Privacy: NH Attorney General

MERRIMACK, NH — A former Merrimack police officer reached a plea deal after fabricating traffic warnings and violating driver privacy using the State Police On-Line Telecommunications System.

Ryan Milligan, 36, of Manchester, fabricated handwritten warnings issued in September 2022 as part of a New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety traffic enforcement detail and generated the fictitious warnings by using the state’s system. During the investigation, a second violation was discovered in August 2022.

Due to the discoveries, the Merrimack Police Department did not seek reimbursement from the state highway safety office for the traffic details. The investigation led to three charges against Milligan — one count of violation of records and certification, also known as the Driver Privacy Act, and two counts of tampering with public records and information. He agreed to the plea on Thursday.

As part of the plea deal, Michael Garrity, the director of communications for the NH AG’s Office said Milligan was hit with a $3,400 fine, all but $600 suspended for two years; he surrendered his certification as a law enforcement officer in New Hampshire; his name will be placed on a national registry of decertified officers. he agreed not to seek future employment as an officer; and did not challenge the placement of his name on the state’s Exculpatory Evidence Schedule, also known as the Laurie List.

“If Mr. Milligan violates any of the above conditions within two years of the date of sentencing,” Garrity said, “the state may seek to impose the suspended portion of his negotiated fine and reserves the right to bring forward additional charges.”

The New Hampshire Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Unit performed the investigation after a referral by the Merrimack Police Department.

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