Grand jury issues indictments for alleged assaults

Matthew Gibson, 30, of Old Follette Road, Meredith, is facing a special felony charge of sexually assaulting a member of his household who was between the ages of 13 and 16 in December. Gibson was among those indicted by a Belknap County Superior Court Grand Jury during its February session.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt, but an independent jury’s decision, after hearing from police, that sufficient evidence exists to warrant a court trial.

Nicholas Perriera, 32, of Chestnut Avenue, Gilmanton, is facing special felony charges of first-degree assault, alleging he struck a person in the face with a pistol in Laconia; and being an armed career criminal. He also faces a Class B felony charge of being a felon in possession of a dangerous weapon. 

Anthony T. Chioccola, 20, of Durham, is facing a special felony charge of sexually assaulting a physically helpless 24-year-old woman who was intoxicated at the time.

Amber Engberg, 35, of Stephanie Drive, Alton, is facing a Class A felony charge of domestic violence-related first-degree assault after allegedly striking her partner in the head with a flashlight. She also faces a Class B felony charge of swinging a machete at him.

Jeremiah Aitken, 22, of North Main Street, Laconia, faces a Class B felony charge of domestic violence-related criminal threatening after allegedly threatening to use a steak knife to hurt his intimate partner.

Michael Ford, 54, of Overland Street, Laconia, is facing a Class B felony charge of domestic violence-related second-degree assault for allegedly putting his intimate partner in a choke hold.

Gabriel Meyer, 33, of Sam Hall Drive, Plymouth, is facing a Class B felony charge of attempting to strangle his intimate partner in Laconia, as well as a Class A misdemeanor charge of putting a cord around her neck and threatening to kill her.

Matthew Spaulding, 39, of Hill Road, Gilmanton Iron Works, is facing a Class B felony charge of domestic violence-related second-degree assault for allegedly putting a family member in a headlock, impeding her breathing.

Paul M. Doherty, 56, formerly a Laconia transient, is facing enhanced Class B felony charges of domestic violence-related simple assault for allegedly hitting an intimate partner in the face and kicking her in the back after having previously been convicted of violating a protective order.