News :: New England
NH Man Faces Civil Rights Charges Over Pride Sign Thefts
The New Hampshire Department of Justice has filed civil rights violation charges against a Goffstown resident accused of repeatedly stealing LGBTQ+ pride signs during Pride Month last year.
Frank Hobbs Jr. was caught on camera removing signs supporting gay rights from a public intersection in Goffstown, according to Senior Assistant New Hampshire Attorney General Sean Locke. The signs had been legally placed by a local resident who, after noticing their disappearance, installed a trail camera to document the thefts.
According to published reports, the resident was able capture a person on video coming to the intersection removing the signs and driving away. Local authorities reported that Hobbs was easily identifiable in the footage due to his prominence in the community.
When confronted about the incidents, court documents show that Hobbs initially denied any involvement. However, when informed of photographic evidence, he claimed that Town Hall officials had given him permission to remove signs containing what he described as "pedophile symbols," adding that he found the signs offensive.
The case will proceed to a hearing where Hobbs could face thousands of dollars in fines, depending on the judge's ruling. Multiple attempts to reach Hobbs for comment have been unsuccessful.