Occupy NH Activist Placed in Diversion Program

An activist who allegedly the during a last month has agreed to a diversion program to avoid prosecution and trial.

, 20, of Manchester, was in Sixth District Court on Feb. 13 to face a criminal trespass charge. However, before court proceedings could even get started, Richards was able to negotiate placement into a diversion program, according to a clerk. The clerk said that prosecutors would "revisit the case in a few months,” to see if Richards had stayed out of trouble during that time.

According to the Merrimack County Prosecutors Office website, the diversion is offered to first time adult offenders, as well as alleged perpetrators involved in non-sexual, non-violent, or non-domestic violence related crimes. Participants agree to weekly case management meetings in which they will remain drug and alcohol free and be gainfully employed at least 32-hours a week or enrolled in school full-time. Community service hours, up to 25, need to be fulfilled and a program fine paid.

Richards, who was wearing long johns, sandals, and a “We Are the 99%” pin into court, seemed pleased with the agreement as he left court without any comment.