Fugitive was in prison in South Carolina

Published Date

LACONIA — A former Gilford man was ordered held on at total of $9,000 cash-only bail for a variety of aleged crimes committed in Gilford and Belmont during the summer of 2010.
Gilford Police Chief Kevin Keenan said yesterday that Richard Smith, 37, formerly of 12 Breton Road was wanted for a June 10, 2010 charge of sexual assault — forcible fondling, for simple assault for grabbing a woman by the throat, and for obstructing the reporting of a crime by trying to stop the victim from calling police.
After his arrest on June 26, 2012, he was released on $3,000 personal recognizance bail and given a court date for July 1, 2010. When he failed to show for his court date, Gilford Police applied for a received a warrant for bail jumping.
In addition, records obtained from the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia Division also show that on June 12, 2012, after the alleged Gilford assault but before police had completed their investigation, Smith was stopped on Daniel Webster Highway by Belmont Police for reckless driving and driving without a license.
He was also charged with one count of possession of alprazolam — drugs that belongs to his assault victim.
Cpl. Adam Hawkins said Smith didn't not appear on the Belmont charges either and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Keenan said yesterday that Smith had spent the past three years incarcerated in a South Carolina prison on what he said were multiple felonies. After his release, he was transported to Belknap County to face the outstanding charges from Gilford and Belmont.
Keenan also noted that after goes through the Belknap County and New Hampshire Court system, he will be turned over the Virginia Police where he faces more charges.