Saturation Patrol Results

Epping, New Hampshire - On August 27, 2022, Troopers assigned to the New Hampshire State Police Troop A Barracks, in conjunction with Officers from the Barrington Police Department and the Rochester Police Department participated in a high-visibility DUI Saturation Patrol in the greater tri-city area of Strafford County. This initiative was funded by the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and allowed for a larger contingency of Troopers and Officers to focus on traffic enforcement in the greater tri-city area.

During this enforcement effort, a total of 69 traffic stops were conducted, resulting in the issuance of 59 warnings and 10 citations for various motor vehicle infractions. In addition, 8 individuals were arrested for various offenses as follows:

1. Brian Royce

   • Age: 42
   • Town of Residence: Barrington, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Liquor, Speeding, and Solid Line Violation

    

2. Jesse E.X. Davis

   • Age: 41
   • Town of Residence: South Berwick, Maine
   • Charges: Operating After Revocation or Suspension (Subsequent Offense)

    

3. John P. Laflesh

   • Age: 33
   • Town of Residence: Rochester, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Strafford County Superior Court Capias Warrant, Electronic Bench Warrants (x2)

    

4. Alan Charles

   • Age: 35
   • Town of Residence: Lebanon, Maine
   • Charges: Reckless Operation

    

5. Michael J. Demeritt

   • Age: 42
   • Town of Residence: Farmington, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Transportation of Controlled Drugs and Control of a Premises/Vehicle Where Controlled Drugs are Kept

    

6. Jason L. Brewer

   • Age: 39
   • Town of Residence: Milton Mills, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Sell and Falsifying Physical Evidence

    

7. Juvenile (Name Withheld)

   • Age: 17
   • Town of Residence: Farmington, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Operating Without a Valid License

    

8. Juvenile (Name Withheld)

   • Age: 17
   • Town of Residence: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
   • Charges: Reckless Operation

    

While participating in this enforcement effort, Trooper Geoffrey Miller conducted a traffic stop on a 2011 Ford Explorer along Highland Street in the City of Rochester after observing erratic operation. Trooper Miller later identified the occupants of the Ford as two of the foregoing individuals, Michael J. Demeritt and Jason L. Brewer. During a subsequent roadside investigation, Troopers observed Brewer throw a bag suspected of containing illicit drugs toward a wooded area that was adjacent to the location of the traffic stop. After Troopers detained both Demeritt and Brewer at the scene, Troopers requested the assistance of the New Hampshire State Police K9 Unit in locating the discarded contraband. In response to this request, Trooper Nathan Sleight and his K9 partner "Kaiser" responded to the scene. Trooper Sleight and K9 "Kaiser" conducted an article search and located the previously discarded bag in a grassy area near a tree line. Upon recovering the bag, Troopers determined that it contained approximately one-hundred (100) grams of suspected fentanyl having an estimated street value of $10,000.00. As a result of this investigation, Demeritt and Brewer were arrested and charged accordingly. This case remains under investigation by the New Hampshire State Troop A Barracks and the New Hampshire State Police Narcotics Investigations Unit. Pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation, additional charges may be forthcoming.

As the summer months persist, the New Hampshire State Police would like to encourage all motorists to make safe choices prior to getting behind the wheel and remind everyone that the problem of impaired driving is a preventable one. If you are a member of the motoring public and observe a suspected impaired driver, call 911 immediately and be prepared to provide your exact location to include street names and highway mile markers, a plate number and description of the vehicle involved, along with the details of your observations.