14-year old girl doesn't see a problem

A 14-year-old New York girl who is at the center of a sexual assault/child pornography investigation in Gilford – including an incident that reportedly involved several adult men – told police she willingly participated in the actions and “didn’t see the problem” authorities had with her activities.

One local men charged in connection with the investigation told the Laconia District Court yesterday that police don’t properly understand the situation.

“You’ve got the wrong people in here,” said Lawrence Trefrey, 26, of 91 North Street, Apt. #2 in Laconia. “Her parents dropped her off at my house and left her there all day… I had nothing to do with this girl.”

Trefrey told Judge David Huot that he was “a friend of the family” who was he caught in the middle. “She came down there (to my residence) looking for her dad… You (police) need to do some more of your investigation here.”

Trefrey and five other men arrived in court together Thursday to face charges related to the investigation. They were all dressed in casual clothing including jeans, T-shirts and sweats. Most sat placidly through the proceedings although one man, Leon “Chuckie” Laroche, 41, of 67 Henderson Road in Gilford, who has no previous criminal record, sat for with his head in his hands for a while.

Trefrey was the lone exception as he spoke animatedly to the judge about his qualms involving his arrest.

“Other than that, I’m all set,” he said.

Gilford Police charged Trefrey with felonious sexual assault for allegedly having sex with the minor, and for endangering the welfare of a child by asking her to engage in sexual activity last Tuesday, June 15. Both charges are Class B felonies that could result in 3*-to-7 years in prison.

Lieutenant Edison Cowing of the Gilford Police asked Huot to at $25,000 cash bail but Huot established the figure at cash or corporate surety.

The rulings were the same for the other five men who were charged in relation to a separate incident.

Police say they were all at a party at the residence of Thomas Kiersey, 20, of 67 Henderson Road in Gilford early Sunday morning where the young girl engaged in sexual activity with several of them – all while knowingly being recorded on a digital video camera.

“(She) explained that they were partying and things got a little out of hand,” according to police court records.

The child, who was not named in court because of her age, told police she was dating Kenneth Thompson, 18, of 31 Harvest Road in Gilford and they decided to go to the party on Henderson Road last Saturday night.

While they were there, Thompson and several other men took off the girl’s shirt and began performing sexual acts with her. She said she disrobed further and continued. One man recorded the whole event on a digital camera.

Police found out about the situation after investigating a complaint from someone who apparently knew something about the improper activity.

Kiersey, Thompson and Joshua Gagne, 22, of 25 Mitchell Place of Laconia were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and child pornography.

Thompson was also charged with a felonious sexual assault, while Kiersey and Gagne were charged with the less serious crime of sexual assault, a Class A misdemeanor.

Laroche, who also lives at the Henderson Road address, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and child pornography.

Meanwhile, a Manchester man was arrested and charged with child pornography for allegedly operating the camera.

Michael Ploss, 52, of 266 Goffstown Road, Apt. #2 in Manchester was apparently in town to record Motorcycle Week events when he connected with a friend who brought him to the party.

After local police began talking to people about the reported crimes, someone called Ploss and advised him to destroy the recording before authorities could arrive with a search warrant.

When Manchester Police arrived later Sunday, Ploss admitted to operating the video camera but told them he threw the recording off a bridge on Route 293 into the Merrimack River. While he would also not say who told him about the investigation, cell phone records indicated he’d spoken with Laroche earlier in the day.

Police would not say whether they had the recording in their possession, but a press release about the investigation recognized the help of N.H. Fish & Game.

In court, Ploss admitted to having a lengthy criminal history but said his crimes were committed years ago, asking Huot to keep his bail lower.

“My last conviction was in 1973,” Ploss said. “I’ve kept my nose clean for 31 years… I’m a foreman for a construction company and I have a daughter living with me at home.”

Huot established the same bail as for the other men: $25,000 cash or corporate surety.

Following the proceedings, the suspects were taken to the Belknap County House of Correction.

Later in the day, both Thompson and Laroche were released on bail.

A probable cause hearing for all of the men is scheduled for Tuesday, July 6 at 1:15.

On behalf of the all the men, Huot entered “no plea” to the felony charges.

Lieutenant Edison Cowing of the Gilford Police said the investigation is continuing and that more people could be arrested in the future.

The state’s Department of Youth and Family Services are currently holding the young girl, he added.

Assisting Gilford Police in the investigation were members of the Laconia and Manchester police departments, the Belknap County Sheriff’s Office, the Belknap County Attorney and N.H. Fish & Game.