2 days ago
Shelburne man found guilty for threatening judge
A Coos County jury found a Shelburne man guilty of charges in connection to threatening to harm a judge as part of his ongoing divorce proceedings.
Carlos Dorego, 57, was found guilty of two felony counts of improper influence following a one-day jury trial, according to a news release from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.
Dorego had his bail revoked and is being held by the Coos County Sheriff's Department 'to await sentencing,' according to the release. Sentencing is set for 1:30 p.m. July 10.
During the trial, prosecutor David Lovejoy presented evidence that Dorego on Feb. 14, 2024, sent unsolicited text messages to the personal cellphone of a New Hampshire Circuit Court judge. The messages both threatened harm to the judge and sought to improperly influence the judge in connection with his ongoing divorce proceedings in family court in Berlin.
Improper influence is a class B felony, which is punishable by up to 7 years in the New Hampshire State Prison and a $4,000 fine.
Dorego's lawyer, Leif Becker, said his client threatened both a professional complaint and civil suit against the judge, which he says is a constitutionally protected activity under the First Amendment.
"It was undisputed that the texts made no explicit request of the judge to change any element of his underlying divorce matter," Becker said.
Becker also argued against the two indictments that alleged the same conduct.
Issues in the case are expected to be addressed in both trial court and on appeal to the New Hampshire Supreme Court.
