NH instructor sexual intercourse assault case first under Howie Leung Loophole Law

BRENTWOOD — A previous New Hampshire teacher of the 12 months finalist is struggling with felony costs, accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-previous pupil last 12 months in what is the first prison situation introduced less than a new condition law. 

Bridgette Doucette-Howell, 38, of Merrimack, was indicted on 3 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault for allegedly engaging in intercourse, and 1 rely of felonious sexual assault for allegedly kissing the student involving April 26 and May well 13, 2021, in Kingston and Exeter.

The felony scenario tests a new legal provision, acknowledged as the Howie Leung Loophole Regulation, intended to prevent individuals keeping positions of authority from engaging in any variety of sexual get hold of with students, even if the scholar is not a juvenile and out of university at the time.

Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway said if there is a conviction, the maximum sentence for each aggravated felonious sexual assault offense is 10 to 20 several years in jail. The felonious sexual assault penalty carries a 3 ½ to 7-12 months sentence, according to the indictment.

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Doucette-Howell has waived arraignment and has entered a plea of not guilty. She is currently cost-free on private recognizance bail, conditioned on her getting no make contact with with the alleged target and owning “no unsupervised call with youngsters less than 18 other than her individual.”