(Photo courtesy of WPTZ)  Taber, age 17, a high school senior who had graphic  internet chats with someone he thought was a 14-year-old now faces criminal charges after the correspondent turned out to be a police detective.

Taber, of Sampson Rd, is free on $5000 personal recognizance after his arrest in April and will be arraigned in May on a charge of using the internet to "seduce, solicit, lure or entice" a child to commit the offense of lewdness or indecent exposure.

As part of the bail conditions, Taber, who works as a casher at a local grocery store, is not allowed to be in contact with anyone under 17, which precludes him from attending classes.  He is also not allowed to use a computer that has internet access.

Taber is a senior and Littleton High School and is supposed to graduate in June.

A motion has been filed by Taber's attorney, Mark Sisti, to amend the bail conditions so that he can attend classes at Littleton High School and graduate.

SAU84 Superintendent Dorothy Danforth said steps will be taken to ensure Taber can graduate by making sure he is given schoolwork to complete at home and providing tutoring if necessary.

According to court papers, which include more than 25 pages of chat room and instant message dialogue, Taber struck up an online conversation with what turned out to be a Keene, NH police detective.

Over the next 2 months, the 2 had extensive and graphic online chats and e-mail exchanges that resulted in plans for the 2 to meet on March 20th in a men's changing room at the Littleton Wal-Mart.

Update 6/3/08:

17-year-old Taber turned himself into police, the day after police removed a dog from his home.  Taber was charged with cruelty to animals after police said they found a large number of pornographic pictures involving the dog on the teen's computer.

Taber is now charged with 2 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and a felony charge of computer pornography prohibited.

He was released on $5000 cash bail and another $5000 personal recognizance bail and will be arraigned June 24th at Littleton District Court.

Update 6/11/08:

(Photo courtesy of The Caledonian-Record).  The abuse of the dog known as Roscoe is alleged to have taken place in July 2007.  Roscoe is recuperating at the Lancaster Humane Society.  Roscoe was "wobbly" and suffering from severe diarrhea when he arrived at the shelter on June 2nd.  The 10 year old dog is large for his breed, weighing in at 107 pounds.  Roscoe will need a more thorough examination as well as a colonoscopy to determine if he has suffered any internal injures.  The procedure will most likely require anesthesia.  The Lancaster HS will be contacting a specialist in the Concord area to perform the procedure.

Update 6/17/08:

On May 16th Taber was indicted by a grand jury on the April charges.  Taber's arraignment for the pornography and animal cruelty charges was on June 24th in Littleton District Court.

Bail has been increased to $20,000 cash bail and $15, 000 personal recognizance bail.

Court papers also note that Taber is now residing with his father at 182 Robert Rogers Road in Dunbarton, NH.

Taber's sex solicitation trial is scheduled to begin November 24th in Grafton Superior Court

Reference:

The Laconia Citizen

The Union Leader

The Caledonia-Record

WCAX-TV

WPTZ

WHDH