Milton man indicted on firearm possession charge

Christopher R. Forcier

DOVER, N.H. - A Milton man has been indicted on being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Christopher R. Forcier, 31, of Christopher Lane, was charged on the weapons possession on Jan. 22 after police found the firearm while executing a search warrant of his home on Jan. 1 after an alteration called into police drew a response from officers.

Milton Police indicated that the 22-caliber rifle was found as police executed a search warrant at his residence early New Year’s Day. Forcier was also arrested on marijuana possession.

Brandon Henner, 35, of Ripley Lane, Milton was arrested on a simple assault charge as a result of the New Year’s Eve altercation, which was said to be over a woman.

The pair got into another skirmish on Jan. 11 near the intersection of Vachon Driver and Townhouse Road in Milton when police say Forcier tried to run down Henner after spotting him near a mailbox with some friends. Police allege Henner jumped to avoid being hit by Forcier’s truck and fell into the truckbed, then fell through the truck’s rear window after it crashed. It is alleged Forcier then stabbed him. A small welt was discernible several days later at a courtroom hearing for Forcier. Henner was not treated for the wound. The weapon said to be used in the attack was never found.

Forcier and his public defender Cynthia Robinson have painted a far different picture of the assault near Vachon Driver, saying at a Jan. 22 probable cause hearing that it was Henner who was the attacker, not Forcier.

Henner was arrested at the scene of the Townhouse Road incident for violating bail conditions for being in close proximity to Forcier.

Forcier is currently free on $10,000 cash bail.

Now prosecutors and Forcier’s public defenders will try to work out a plea deal, or the case could go to trial in Strafford County Superior Court.

Forcier was convicted in May 2000 for theft by unauthorized taking in Carroll County Superior Court. State law prohibits convicted felons from being in possession of firearms.

He faces up to three and a half to seven years in state prison if found guilty.

The grand jury indictment was handed down last week.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, only that a grand jury has found sufficient evidence to move forward with a trial.