MANCHESTER – Charges alleging drug offenses, theft, weapons violations and felony sexual assault have led to indictments against several Nashua area residents, according to the December grand jury for Hillsborough County Superior Court North.

An indictment is not an indication, or proof of, guilt, but represents the Grand Jury’s determination that enough evidence exists for prosecutors to move the case forward in Superior Court.

Among the indictments are two that charge Amherst resident Richard Avery, 57, with two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault – pattern sexual assault, bringing to 17 the total number of charges on which Avery has been indicted since June.

That month’s grand jury handed up 14 indictments on the charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault, and one for aggravated felonious sexual assault – pattern sexual assault.

They accuse Avery, 57, of 6 Washer Cove Road, of molesting a young girl on numerous occasions in late 2017 and early 2018.

The two new indictments also accuse him of molesting the same underage girl between November 2017 and the end of February, also in Amherst.

Other local residents indicted by the Hillsborough North grand jury for December follow.

John Callahan, 30, of 2 Corning Road, Litchfield. Two counts, aggravated felonious sexual assault – no consent, and one count, attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault – no consent, special felonies, for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a female, who indicated by speech or conduct she did not freely consent to the acts, and taking a “substantial step” toward the commission of AFSA, on May 16 in Manchester.

Erik Dillberg, 41, of 46 New Boston Road, Amherst. One count, perjury: false statement under oath, a Class B felony, for allegedly making a false material statement under oath or affirmation during a hearing in family court in Manchester, on Jan. 22, 2018.

Eric Earle, 22, of 85 New Boston Road, Greenville. One count, second-degree assault – domestic violence, Class B felony; and two counts, domestic violence – simple assault and one count, criminal mischief, Class A misdemeanors, for allegedly engaging in the strangulation of an intimate partner, grabbing and pushing her, and snapping her cellphone in half, on Nov. 25 in Manchester.

Mark St. Amand, 47, of 50 Summer St., Nashua. Three counts, sale of a controlled drug, Class B felonies, for allegedly possessing heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine with the intent to sell, on Sept. 26 in Manchester.

Troy Woodruff, 43, of 126 Vine St., Apt. 6, Nashua, currently incarcerated at Strafford County jail. One count each, falsifying physical evidence; felon in possession of a dangerous weapon; and resisting arrest or detention – serious bodily injury, Class B felonies, for allegedly possessing a knife as a convicted felon and disposing of a “bag of vegetative material and a glass pipe” while being approached by a police officer, on Aug. 3 in Manchester, and allegedly resisting an officer’s attempt to arrest him, causing the officer to suffer seirous bodily injury to his left hand, on Nov. 14 in Manchester.

Joshua Roy, 22, of 12 Mountain Road, Merrimack. Two counts, controlled drug act: acts prohibited, subsequent offense, Class A felonies, and one count, felonious use of firearm, Class B felony, for allegedly possessing more than one ounce of marijuana with the intent to sell or dispense; and transporting or possessing the controlled drug THC, after having been convicted of a drug-related offense, and possessing more than one ounce of marijuana with intent to sell or dispense when armed with a .38 caliber revolver, on Aug. 25 in Bedford.

Peter Johnson, 43, of 6 Dobson Way, Merrimack. Three counts, felon in possession of dangerous weapon, Class B felonies, and one count, theft by deception, Class A felony, for allegedly possessing a firearm, metallic knuckles and a switchblade knife, on Oct. 21 in Manchester, after having been convicted of felony robbery in 1999; and for allegedly obtaining $9,280 by withdrawing money from his credit union account knowing the funds deposited in his account to cover the withdrawals were fraudulently obtained, on March 19 in Manchester.

Brendan Lynch, 32, of 725 Route 13, Milford. Two counts, reckless conduct – deadly weapon, Class B felonies, for allegedly placing a police officer in danger of serious bodily injury by charging at him with a knife, and placing motorists in danger of serious injury by driving at about 100 mph in the breakdown lane of Route 101, on Oct. 4 in Amherst.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.