Concord, NH -- Attorney General John M. Formella announces that former New Hampshire Department of Corrections Officer Theophilus Osabutey, 41, of Laconia, New Hampshire, has pleaded guilty to class A misdemeanor Simple Assault, in violation of RSA 631:2-a.

The Complaint alleged that on or about November 4, 2022, Mr. Osabutey knowingly caused unprivileged physical contact with E.S. by striking E.S. on or about his head, face, and/or body at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men, when Mr. Osabutey was at the time an on-duty law enforcement officer with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and E.S. was an inmate at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men.

Pursuant to a fully negotiated plea agreement, Mr. Osabutey was sentenced to twelve months in the House of Corrections, all suspended for a period of two years. Mr. Osabutey was also ordered to complete fifty hours of community service and to complete an anger management evaluation and any recommended treatment. In addition, Mr. Osabutey agreed to surrender his corrections officer certification, and to not seek further employment in law enforcement or corrections. He also agreed to not contest his placement on a national registry of decertified officers or on the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Exculpatory Evidence Schedule (EES).

If Mr. Osabutey violates any of the above conditions within two years of the date of sentencing, the State may seek to impose the suspended portion of his negotiated sentence.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit, with the assistance of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. The Public Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes allegations of criminal conduct committed by state officials and law enforcement officers in the State of New Hampshire.