Merrimack County Grand Jury Issues Indictments For Violent Assaults, Weapons Possession, and Narcotics Offenses

A Merrimack County grand jury has indicted Justin Dagnese for sexual assault and several others for violent crimes and weapons possession in New Hampshire.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 5:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Patch

Aggravated Sexual Assault Charges

The grand jury issued a significant indictment against 39 year old Justin D. Dagnese, who was already incarcerated in the Maine State Prison at the time of the proceedings. Dagnese faces four felony counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault-domestic violence. The charges stem from allegations that he raped a teenage girl, identified as an intimate partner, on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2020. According to court records, the assaults involved the use of intoxicating substances to facilitate the crimes. Dagnese has a extensive criminal history, with prior sexual assault convictions in 2022 and 2023.

Violent Physical Assaults in Franklin

In a separate case, 31 year old Brandon Abare of Laconia was indicted on a second degree assault charge. Investigators allege that on November 15, 2025, Abare threw a splitting maul at another person in Franklin, resulting in physical injury. Additionally, 62 year old Nelson Espada was indicted on a felony domestic violence charge. Espada is accused of brandishing a baton and threatening to kill a family member during an incident in Franklin on November 8, 2025.

Weapons and Narcotics Violations

The roundup also detailed several indictments involving prohibited weapons and illicit drugs: