Former Concord Teacher To Plead Guilty To Sex Trafficking Charge

Concord NH

21 September, 2021

4:15 PM

Description

CONCORD, NH — A former Concord High School teacher and Southern New Hampshire University professor who was arrested on prostitution and child sexual abuse image charges is scheduled to plead guilty in court on Wednesday to a single felony trafficking count. Joshua Harwood, 38, of Manchester, currently incarcerated at the Merrimack County Jail in Boscawen, informed the Merrimack County Superior Court on Tuesday he would be pleading guilty to a single felony charge of trafficking in persons. Originally, Harwood was arrested on Feb. 4 after a multi-week investigation by police into a tip about a Concord High School teacher who was communicating with young men on Grindr, a self-described dating site and app for gay and bisexual men and the trans community. During his interactions, he pretended to be a high school student, according to investigatory documents. A former student, who hooked up with Harwood in exchange for cash, realized he was a teacher and father and not a high school student. He informed the school district and police about the encounter which led to Harwood being placed on leave in December 2020. Police investigated Harwood's online activity, dating back to January 2019, and accused him of making 38 Venmo transactions to five men and one boy, according to an affidavit. He was interacting with at least one of the men while teaching, according to the investigation. ALSO READ: Concord Teacher On Leave During 'Online Solicitation' InquiryConcord Teacher Arrested On Prostitution, Child Sex Image ChargesConcord Superintendent 'Outraged' By Accusations Against TeacherFormer Concord Teacher, Facing Felony Charges, Held Without BailFormer Manchester Teacher Indicted On Sexual Abuse Image Charges After being arraigned in superior court, Harwood faced dozens of charges. He was indicted on 10 felony counts of prostitution and related offenses, nine felony counts of manufacture of child sexual abuse images, and nine felony counts of trafficking in persons earlier this year. According to the plea agreement, he will be sentenced to between three and a half and seven years, stand committed, meaning he will serve some jail time. The judge could award Harwood with jail time credit, which will be determined at the sentencing. Seven months could also be shaved from the sentence upon completion of a sex offender program. Harwood could also be fined up to $4,000. Harwood, according to online reports, taught business at SNHU and also worked in the Farmington School District before coming to Concord. He grew up in Sutton. Harwood holds a business administration degree with a minor in sociology. In April 2018, while at SNHU, he was described as "an average Joe." Harwood was awarded the University College Faculty Academic Advisory of the Year Award in 2017. Got a news tip? Send it to [email protected]. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.