A New Hampshire man pleads guilty to threats and vandalism targeting public radio journalists

CONCORD, N.H. — A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to threatening public radio journalists and vandalizing their homes, prosecutors said Thursday.

Tucker Cockerline, 32, of Salem, NH, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiracy to commit stalking by interstate travel and using an opportunity for interstate commerce.

The harassment of the victims, according to investigators, included vandalizing — on five separate occasions — the victims' homes and the home of one of the victims' parents with bricks, large rocks and red spray paint.

The ruling is scheduled for March 19, 2024.

Cockerline was initially arrested and charged in June, along with two alleged co-conspirators. The defendants were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in September, along with a fourth suspect.

Prosecutors allege the men were involved in a plot to destroy homes linked to New Hampshire Public Radio reporter Lauren Chooljian and news director Daniel Barrick in retaliation for a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against a prominent businessman.

Each count in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and restitution.