Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces the arrest of Christopher Butler, age thirty six, of South Berwick, Maine on two class B felony counts of harm or threats to certain government officials, RSA 631:4-a, and one count class A misdemeanor count of criminal threatening, RSA 631:4.

Mr. Butler is being held on preventative detention pending arraignment. It is anticipated that Mr. Butler will be arraigned in Merrimack County Superior Court on March 29, 2022.

Count one alleges that Butler threatened bodily injury on a phone call to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Information Center, against Judge Philip Cross, a member of the judiciary, for the purpose of influencing an action by Judge Philip Cross, as part of official duties on prospective ruling(s) and/or order(s) on Dckt. #619-2012-DM-0411.

Count two alleges that Butler threatened bodily injury on a phone call to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Information Center, against Judge Philip Cross, a member of the judiciary, with the purpose of retaliating against Judge Philip Cross, for his order on Dckt. # 619-2012-DM-0411, which was part of his official government duties.

Count three alleges that Butler threatened bodily injury on a phone call to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Court Information Center, against Judge Philip Cross with a purpose to terrorize any person.

Harm or threats to certain government officials is a class B felony which is punishable by up to 7 years in State Prison and a $4,000 fine. Criminal threatening is a class A misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 12 months in the House of Corrections and a $2,000 fine.

The Public Integrity Unit of the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the Strafford County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation.

The charges and allegations listed above are merely accusation, and the individual who has been arrested is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Assistant Attorney General Dan A. Jimenez of the Public Integrity Unit is prosecuting the case.