New Hampshire

Anderson found not guilty

Mon, 01/12/2015 - 12:45pm

Former Boothbay Town Manager John Anderson was found not guilty on an appeal of a previous conviction that alleged he exposed himself to a salesperson inside his New Hampshire home.

On Thursday, Jan. 8, Anderson had his prior conviction overturned by Rockingham (New Hampshire) Superior Court.

Anderson, 51, previously served as Boothbay's town manager from 2000 to 2010.

Anderson was appealing his August 2014 conviction of Class A misdemeanor of indecent exposure from Rockingham's (New Hampshire) 10th District Court, which found him guilty of causing affront or alarm to another person.

According to a report from the Manchester, New Hampshire’s Union Leader newspaper, jurors asked the judge three questions, including if being naked inside one's own home was indeed a crime.

Shortly afterward, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Anderson was originally charged with indecent exposure and lewdness after he allegedly exposed himself to a DirecTV salesperson on July 11, 2013.

According to the arrest affidavit from 2013, the salesperson was visiting random homes in the neighborhood when he happened upon Anderson's home. After allegedly knocking on the door, the salesperson walked away only to have someone beckon him inside the house.

From the same affidavit, the salesperson reportedly entered the house and was allegedly confronted by a naked Anderson, who allegedly claimed that he lived in a nudist home.

Anderson also reportedly invited the salesperson back for a party later on in the evening. Shortly after leaving the home, the salesperson contacted their superior who contacted police.

New Hampshire State Police conducted the investigation due to Anderson's relationship with the police department.

Shortly after charges were pressed against Anderson, his contract was allowed to lapse with the town of Derry and he ceased acting as the town's administrator.