Middle school teacher charged with selling cocaine in Hampton: How informant aided probe

Staff report
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HAMPTON — A middle school teacher in Massachusetts is facing charges for allegedly selling cocaine in the town of Hampton.

Travis Ducharme, 35, of Raymond, New Hampshire, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug, transportation of drugs in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled drug.

Ducharme, who taught at the Nettle Middle School in Haverhill, Massachusetts, has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta.

The arrest was a result of an investigation into the sale of illicit drugs by the Rockingham County Drug Task Force.

According to a police affidavit, task force officer Derek Brown received a tip from a confidential source that Ducharme was selling cocaine in the area.

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Police allege teacher caught selling drugs twice in Hampton

The task force conducted two controlled purchases of cocaine between Ducharme and the confidential source in September.

In the first incident, police allege officers observed, from an unmarked cruiser nearby, the confidential source reach into the driver's side of a 2012 Subaru Legacy and put an item in their pants pocket. Police said the item was a clear cellophane baggie containing a white powder substance that later tested positive for cocaine. The 2012 Subaru Legacy was registered to Ducharme.

Travis Ducharme, of Raymond, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug, transportation of drugs in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled drug.
Travis Ducharme, of Raymond, was charged with two counts of sale of a controlled drug, transportation of drugs in a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled drug.

In the second alleged drug purchase, police allege they observed Ducharme leave the Nettle School in Haverhill and arrive in Hampton.

"Law enforcement conducting surveillance in close proximity were able to once again watch the deal take place between the (confidential source) and Ducharme," according to the police affidavit.

The Rockingham County Drug Task Force arrested Ducharme on Oct 4.

Police said they conducted surveillance on Ducharme leaving his place of employment in Haverhill and pulled over his vehicle in New Hampshire. A search of Ducharme, according to police, revealed a "cylinder in his pocket containing a white powdery substance consistent with cocaine."

Ducharme allegedly declined a request to search the vehicle, which was later seized pending a search warrant. 

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Teacher pleads not guilty to selling drugs

Ducharme pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at Rockingham Superior Court on Oct. 5.

Prosecutors initially recommended Ducharme be held in preventive detention because he was a "public middle school teacher allegedly leaving school grounds to make drugs sales."

Ducharme requested a bail hearing and was later released on $5,000 cash bail with the stipulation that he stay 1500 feet away from all schools.

Ducharme is being represented by attorney Joseph Plaia. He is due back in court on Nov. 7.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Middle school teacher charged with selling cocaine in Hampton