HAMPTON FALLS, N.H. — Police say more women are coming forward with stories about a Hampton Falls man accused of drugging and raping a woman he met through an Internet dating site.
Thomas F. Currier, 35, 6 Marsh Lane, Hampton Falls is currently charged with one felony charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault. He previously lived in Exeter, and worked as a manager at a car dealership in northern Massachusetts, according to reports.
Police say Currier used at least two dating services, Match.com and Plentyoffish.com, to find women.
"According to our investigation, Currier invites women to his place for dinner after meeting them on the Internet, then gives them a beverage to drink laced with something that incapacitates them, but we don't know what that substance is at this time," Hampton Falls police Chief Robbie Dirsa said yesterday. "We and the New Hampshire State Police are continuing to investigate as other women come forward with similar stories."
Currier has exhibited violent behavior when he encountered women at his home who would not cooperate with his plans, Dirsa said.
"One woman told us when she refused to drink the beverage he provided, he threatened to shoot her with a gun," Dirsa said. "That case of criminal threatening is currently before Hampton District Court."
Dirsa said the Internet allows people to reach out to those across state lines. He believes Currier may have contacted women in Massachusetts and Maine. These women may have felt visiting Currier in Hampton Falls wouldn't be too far to travel, and even and attractive since it's a seacoast community.
Court documents from his arrest on Aug. 13 and arraignment the following day at Hampton District court in Seabrook, indicate Currier lured the woman he met on the Internet to his home for dinner on Aug. 3, then raped and sodomized her after giving her a drink containing a substance that made her unable to walk and gave her "no control over her body." Currier's daughter was home when the woman arrived, the report states.
The woman took two restraining orders out against Currier in the days following the alleged rape, according to the police report.
Dirsa said police have not been able to speak with Currier, but his lawyer, Oliver Sakellarios, said his client is innocent.
Police believe Currier met the woman he is charged with raping though Match.com and Plentyoffish.com, but Dirsa said they are investigating the possibility Currier used other sites to meet women. Dirsa said Currier used the name AWalkToRemember08 on Plentyoffish.com, but he could have used other names on this or other sites as well.
Dallas-based Match.com did not immediately return an e-mail inquiry from The Daily News. On its Web site, it lists several "safety tips" for first-time dates, such as recommending that people meet in public, stay sober, carry a cellphone, and make sure 911 can be dailed from the area where the date is occurring. Plentyoffish.com also has some guidelines on its Web site. Its founder notes he is essentially a one-man operation working out of an apartment in Vancouver, B.C.
The alleged victim came forward in the current case after telling her family what happened. On Aug. 4, she went to Lawrence General Hospital for a rape exam, and evidence was collected. After acquiring the rape kit from the hospital and speaking with the alleged victim, Hampton Falls police got an arrest warrant for Currier. At his arraignment, police were granted a warrant to search his home for any and all evidence that supports the charges. The search warrant is sealed.
No bail was set for Currier at his bail hearing on Wednesday, for Hampton District Court Judge Francis Frasier cited "significant concern about the safety of the public." Frasier would not set bail until he reviews a report from the probation department.
Once bail is set, Currier's case will be transferred to Rockingham County Superior Court, where the county attorney said it will be brought before the grand jury as soon as possible.
Dirsa said a press conference will be held in the near future, presenting the extent of the charges police may bring against Currier. Dirsa said the case is being investigated by Lt. Thomas Boynton of Hampton Falls and Detective Richard Kelly of Troop A of the N.H. State Police.
Dirsa urges anyone who has had contact or who has concerns about Currier to contact Hampton Falls police at 603-926-4619 or N.H. State Police Troop A at 603-271-1150.
