Former Sanbornton firefighter gets 7 days for theft by credit card

LACONIA — A former Sanbornton firefighter pleaded guilty yesterday to one misdemeanor count of fraudulently using a credit card belonging to the town of Sanbornton and will serve seven days in jail.

Belknap County Superior Court Judge Kenneth McHugh sentenced Brian Blanchette, 38, of 118 Oak Hill Road in Northfield to 12 months in the Belknap County House of Corrections with all but seven days suspended pending his good behavior for five years.

He will begin serving his sentence on August 7, 2012 and must also take a tour of the New Hampshire State Prison. He is on probation for two years.

Blanchette was also ordered to pay the town of Sanbornton $2,369.78 through the court plus a 17-percent administrative fee. Because the value of the stolen goods was greater than $1,500 he was charged with a felony.

The state and Blanchette agreed to the guilty plea of one count of misdemeanor credit card fraud.

A Belknap County grand jury indicted Blanchette on May 31, 2012 for unlawfully using the credit card to purchase items for his own benefit sometime between March 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 at an Irving station in Tilton.

According to a lieutenant with the Sanbornton Fire Department, Blanchette is no longer employed there.

Franklin Fire Chief Kevin LaChapelle said Blanchette worked in his department after working full-time for the Gilford Fire Department. LaChapelle said he worked for Franklin for a few months before giving his resignation.