Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard acknowledged in a recent letter to the community that he has a drinking problem and has been seeing a therapist since his arrest last month in Tilton on drunken driving charges.
“In my 38 years working to help others with alcohol issues, I never thought I would end up in this position, and I fully accept responsibility for creating this situation,” Hilliard wrote. “This incident has helped me see the extent of a problem I tried to ignore for too long.”
Hilliard, 58, of Northfield, who is serving his seventh term as sheriff, faces charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated, DWI and an open container violation. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and remains free on bail conditions.
Tilton police arrested Hilliard on the evening of Aug. 9 after a caller reported that a vehicle was driving erratically on Laconia Road, also known as Route 3. The caller followed the vehicle into the 99 Restaurant parking lot at 154 Laconia Road, where police responded.
Police said Hilliard was not on duty at the time of his arrest.
Through his attorney, Jared Bedrick of Douglas, Leonard & Garvey, P.C., Hilliard spoke about the ordeal for the first time last week.
“Despite my embarrassment, I’m nonetheless thankful for being led to a wonderful therapist who has been helping me since four days after my arrest,” Hilliard wrote.
Prosecutors have filed multiple DWI charges against Hilliard that outline alternative theories and give them flexibility as they work to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. However, he can be found guilty of only one of those charges.
The aggravated DWI charge alleges that Hilliard was driving a white 2013 Cadillac XTS with a blood concentration of 0.16% or more. Alternatively, one of the DWI complaints accuses Hilliard of having an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more, and a third charge alleges he was under the influence of alcohol or a drug that impaired his ability to drive.
Despite his arrest, Hilliard remains employed with the county as sheriff, which is an elected position.
“Owning up to my actions with the County Commissioners and the Chiefs of Police was among the most difficult tasks of my life,” he wrote in his letter. “Since that time, I’ve been overwhelmed with support from my friends and colleagues, especially those in the law enforcement community who understand the high standards of our profession that I have always tried to meet.”
He made no mention in his statement of the pending criminal case but cited his recent “mistakes” that have garnered media attention.
“As the criminal process plays out, I ask that my family’s privacy be respected,” he concluded.
Hilliard’s law enforcement career spans more than 30 years. He was first elected Merrimack County sheriff in 2006 after having served as chief of police in Northfield. He was re-elected sheriff for a seventh term in November after defeating his first primary challenger in 10 years. His term expires in 2020.
Hilliard is next scheduled to appear in Franklin’s district court on Sept. 30.