© 2025 New Hampshire Public Radio

Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Support essential local news and protect public media with a donation today!

Court Rejects Free Speech Claims of Convicted Stalker

stock photo of lady justice

A federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man found guilty of stalking a New Hampshire teenager.

David Ackell, 49, of Seekonk, Massachusetts, was found guilty in 2016 after he maintained contact with a teen after she repeatedly told him she no longer wanted to be in a relationship. He also threatened to release partially nude photos of the girl if she broke off contact with him.

Ackell appealed his conviction, arguing that the federal stalking laws violated his freedom of speech, and that the evidence presented by prosecutors was insufficient.

The First Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously rejected that argument. Ackell will serve a 33-month prison sentence.

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.