Ex-sheriff Mark Brave gets no jail time for theft, falsifying physical evidence

Disgraced former Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave prepares to enter a Merrimack County courtroom where he pleaded guilty to a number of charges. (WMUR screenshot)

CONCORD - Former Strafford County Sheriff Mark A. Brave pleaded guilty in Merrimack County Superior Court on Thursday to multiple felony charges in connection with his conduct as a law enforcement officer and a public official, including Class B Felony Theft by Deception, Class B Felony Falsifying Physical Evidence, and two charges of Class B Felony Perjury for lying to a Grand Jury.

A plea agreement agreed to by the parties outlines the following sentencing conditions:

Brave will be sentenced to a prison term of three and a half to seven years on each of the charges of Theft by Deception and Falsifying Physical Evidence, according to a statement released by the state AG's Office. These sentences will be suspended for a term of seven years, but will be consecutive to all other sentences if imposed. The suspension of these prison sentences is contingent upon good behavior and compliance with the following:

• Restitution of $18,969.01 to be paid to Strafford County.
• Surrendering of any and all law enforcement certifications.
• Placement on a national registry of decertified officers.
• Non-contestation of placement on the New Hampshire Exculpatory Evidence Schedule.
• A prohibition on seeking or accepting employment as a law enforcement officer in any jurisdiction.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, May sentencing for the charges of Perjury will be left to the discretion of the court, with both the State and the defendant allowed to present arguments for an appropriate sentence. Brave faces a maximum penalty of 7-14 years in prison and fines of up to $8,000 on the perjury charges. Sentencing will take place in 90 days in the Strafford County Superior Court.

In August 2023, then-Strafford County Sheriff Brave was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to the misuse of county funds and falsification of evidence. He stole nearly $19,000 by submitting false reimbursement claims for personal expenses, such as trips to Boston and Florida, and misappropriated funds through fraudulent claims for airfare, hotel stays, and meals.

He also altered a receipt to hide the identity of a female companion, according to evidence presented by the state. Brave lied during his Grand Jury testimony, fabricating event attendance, falsely claiming a meeting with a U.S. Congressman, and denying the presence of a female companion. He also misrepresented a Florida trip involving a female employee and initially claimed a Boston trip was for a charity fundraiser, later admitting it was for a dinner cruise with a paramour.

This case was investigated by New Hampshire Department of Justice investigators and is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Joe Fincham and Assistant Attorney General David Lovejoy of the New Hampshire Department of Justice's Public Integrity Unit.