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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.”
Kurt Olson, one of Doucette-Howell’s lawyers, declined to comment on details of the case, apart from to say his client “continues to manage her innocence of all rates.”
According to posted reviews, when the alleged crimes took put, Doucette-Howell was operating at Sanborn Regional Significant Faculty in Kingston as a drama mentor, her connection with the school on a constrained foundation for its theater arts extracurricular action.
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Soon after the indictments had been handed down by a grand jury, her training license was suspended by the Department of Instruction.
A College of New Hampshire graduate with the two a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, Doucette-Howell was a New Hampshire Department of Schooling Trainer of the Year finalist in 2016 for her many years of do the job as a unique training teacher at Regional Companies and Education and learning Middle, private faculties in Amherst and Deerfield.
What is the Howie Leung Loophole Legislation?
Doucette-Howell is the very first particular person charged under Residence Monthly bill 1240, also known as the Howie Leung Loophole Law.
The regulation was signed by Gov. Chris Sununu in July 2020, and it went into outcome in January 2021.
The new provision will make it a felony to engage in sexual action “when the actor is an personnel, contractor, or volunteer at a main or secondary instructional institution and the victim is a university student and up to 10 months soon after the student’s graduation or departure.”
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The intent of the provision concentrates on the influence authority figures have on relationships with college students as an alternative of the student’s age, considering the fact that 18-yr-olds are considered lawful adults in most community forums.
The bill was filed by state Rep. Katherine Prudhomme-O’Brien, R-Derry, in the Legislature to close a loophole in point out legislation adhering to the 2019 case of Harmony Superior School instructor Primo “Howie” Leung.
His situation began in the Granite State when students witnessed and described to faculty officers observing Leung allegedly kissing a pupil of grownup age in a car.
In 2019, even though teachers could effortlessly be fired for partaking in sexual or intimate speak to with students no matter their ages, at the time it did not violate New Hampshire law. So, Leung wasn’t billed in the Granite Point out.
Nonetheless, the investigation into his perform in Concord led to investigations into Leung’s things to do in Massachusetts, which resulted in the Bay Point out bringing many felony fees towards him for his alleged felony behavior with students at a camp in Newton, Massachusetts. In Harmony, the outcome of the Leung case have been civil fits in opposition to the faculty district and personnel fallout.
Coalition backs monthly bill, says it sends ‘clear message’
The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence supported the monthly bill.
Pamela Keilig, the coalition’s plan specialist, said the law sends a “clear message that it is in no way correct for a trainer to interact in sexual get in touch with with a university student.”
“This legislation was essential in advancing protections for survivors in our condition and makes sure that all students in a key or secondary instructional location are safeguarded, even if they have turned 18,” Keilig stated. “Youth have the right to find out in a risk-free surroundings and should never ever panic currently being exploited by older people who are in a place of believe in and authority more than them.”
In accordance to Keilig, sexual associations between teachers or other faculty officers of authority and learners are “inherently abusive,” mainly because of the electricity they maintain, as a final result, students “cannot really consent to any form of intimate or sexual partnership.”
“New Hampshire legislation now plainly articulates that reliable grownups, irrespective of their position or employment, will be held accountable when they exploit youngsters in their treatment,” in accordance to Keilig.
Conway agreed, stating, “The new provision in the statute is significant since it shields pupils who are 16 many years of age and older from workers, instructors, coaches, and many others. at substantial schools who may possibly use their placement of authority/have faith in to manipulate learners into participating in sexual acts.”
Alleged crimes took area months soon after regulation signed
The fees against Doucette-Howell allege criminal acts took location in April and May possibly 2021, just a couple months after the new provision went into result in January.
Olson mentioned he and his shopper ended up aware there was an investigation going on prior to costs remaining handed down in March 2022.
Conway didn’t want to explore the length of the investigation, but additional it’s not unconventional for aggravated felonious sexual abuse investigations to just take months to finish considering that a “thorough and detailed investigation” is essential to deliver ideal fees and “meet the stress of evidence.”
“It is also not uncommon to receive search warrants for digital units these types of as mobile phones,” Conway stated. “It can get a great amount of time for the investigator to search the equipment and go by way of all of the information and facts on the machine that is related to the circumstance.”
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation with aid from the Web Crimes In opposition to Children Activity Force.
In accordance to court docket documents, Doucette-Howell’s circumstance is scheduled for a dispositional conference in late May.
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