MANCHESTER, NH – Two people were arrested last week as the result of the Manchester Police Street Crime Unit patrol in the area of Manchester and Lincoln streets.
Arrested and charged with lewdness were the driver, Jerry Gappens, 53, of Bedford; and Kendra Johnson, 19, of Manchester.
Gappens is the Executive Vice President and General Manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
According to police, at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 21. detectives were monitoring illicit activities in an area of the city where illegal activities have been reported by police. Detective Richard Valenti Jr. and Sergeant Chris Sanders observed a Toyota Sequoia stop in the area as a woman entered the SUV on passenger side.
Detective Valenti followed the vehicle toward Hanover Street until the vehicle pulled into a parking lot where the two people inside the vehicle allegedly engaged in “an act of lewdness,” according to police.
An attorney representing Gappens issued the following statement to WMUR, after police released the arrest report late Thursday:
“Mr. Gappens acknowledges using poor judgment that has resulted in a misdemeanor charge that is both embarrassing and devastating to him and his family, and for that, he sincerely apologizes.
“He regrets his actions. While he made a bad decision, he did not, in my opinion, engage in conduct that violates the referenced statute or any other criminal law. Mr. Gappens cooperated fully with the police, and we hope to have this difficult situation resolved soon.”
Gappens will appear in the 9th Circuit Court on February 25, 2015. Johnson will appear on February 26, 2015.
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