Concord, Merrimack, Nashua Men Arrested On Computer Sex Charges

NASHUA, NH — Twelve men were arrested by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (NH ICAC) this week after they were accused of using a social media app to try to line up sex with children, who were actually undercover police officers. Seven men were from New Hampshire, three from Massachusetts, one from Vermont, and one from Maryland. Jeremy Stinson, 28, of Penacook (Concord), Kushal Shah, 20, of Nashua, David Martin, 39, of Nashua, and Paul Pratte, 51, of Merrimack, were all arrested between May 21, and May 23, 2019, and charged with felony certain uses of computer services prohibited.

ALSO READ:

• 7 NH Men, 3 From MA Busted On Computer Sex Charges

While investigators wouldn’t say which social media app was being used or discuss the specifics of the operation itself, they noted that nine of the men were arrested in Nashua and three were arrested in Lebanon. Investigators also wouldn’t comment on why some of the men were only charged with computer crimes while others were charged with attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault, if all the men involved were accused of some form of travel.

“That’s a good question,” stated Sgt. John Peracchi, the commander of the NH ICAC and a member of the Portsmouth Police Department, without answering specifically.

Additional charges are forthcoming though, he noted.

While only 12 were arrested, there was no way of counting the number of victims that were saved from predators in the community, Peracchi stated. He also warned parents to watch what their children were doing online because of the pervasive level of use of apps, social media, and the Internet, harming kids, was alarming.

“The current arrests don’t even begin to scratch the surface,” he said, adding that it was one of the reasons why the organization was requesting more resources from the state.

Mike Posanka, Resident Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations, commended all of the detectives involved in the case and said HSI was committed to enforcing laws and bringing the offenders to justice.

Nashua, Lebanon, and Portsmouth police departments, Cheshire, Grafton, Strafford county sheriff's departments, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service were all involved in the operation.

Editor's note: This post was derived from info supplied by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for New Hampshire’s Patch police reports.