Keenan Saniatan, Conspiracy to Commit Stalking, New Hampshire 2024

BOSTON – A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to harass and intimidate two journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR).

Keenan Saniatan, 36, of Nashua, N.H., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking using a facility of interstate commerce and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce.

The harassment and intimidation of the victims included the vandalism – on five separate occasions – of the victims’ homes and the home of one of the victims’ parents with bricks, large rocks and red spray paint.

According to the indictment, the harassment and intimidation were in response to an article published by NHPR in March 2022 detailing allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire businessperson.

Saniatan was initially charged in June 2023, along with co-conspirators Tucker Cockerline and Michael Waselchuck. In September 2024, Saniatan, Cockerline, and Waselchick along with Eric Labarge were indicted by a federal grand jury.

Saniatan, Cockerline, and Waselchuck agreed to harass and intimidate Victims 1 and 2 and their immediate family members at the request of Labarge, who is a close personal associate of the former businessperson.

Each charge in the indictment carries a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution. Sentencing is set for December 6, 2024.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Concord, Hampstead and Hanover, New Hampshire Police Departments, the Melrose, Massachusetts Police Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.

Related Federal Cases