Chelmsford men and NH teacher face sex trafficking charges after attempted rape of 12-year-old girl

CONCORD, NH — Two Chelmsford men and a high school teacher from Hudson, New Hampshire, have been charged with attempted sex trafficking after being accused of soliciting sex from a 12-year-old girl in a federal sting.

As part of the operation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, authorities led the suspects to a hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire, with ads featuring images depicting young women on websites commonly used to advertise prostitution services.

The operation led to the arrest of five people, including Sharath Chandra Bollu, 23, and his friend Koteshwara Raju Jonnagodda, 24, both from Chelmsford; and Stacey Ray Lancaster, 46, of Hudson, a teacher at West High School in Manchester.

Authorities posted and monitored ads that included the contact number, according to an affidavit filed by a federal agent. On November 14, they received a message from Bollu. Bollu was informed by an undercover agent that two girls, ages 12 and 14, could have sexual intercourse.

It was claimed that Bollu agreed with an undercover agent to have sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old girl and asked for photos of both children.

According to the affidavit, it is stated that during the meeting with Bollu on November 15 at the Manchester Hotel, an undercover agent posed as a 12-year-old girl with a high-pitched voice. Stating that he planned to “have fun” with the girl during the meeting, Bollu later called and said that he wanted to bring his friend, who was determined by the authorities to be from Jonnagod, who wanted to have sex with the same girl.

The affidavit says Jonnagodda also called an undercover agent and stated that he understood the girl was 12 and wasn’t interested in “rough stuff.”

The couple were eventually arrested in the hotel parking lot.

Authorities reviewed security footage of Bollu and Jonnagodda from a nearby store before arriving at the hotel, where Jonnagodda was seen purchasing a box of condoms, the affidavit states.

The same agent made another statement to the court regarding Lancaster’s arrest. As in that arrest, agents said two girls, ages 12 and 14, were present and that Lancaster agreed to pay to have sex with the 12-year-old girl.

During one text exchange, the affidavit states, when she was initially told she was 12, Lancaster allegedly texted: “You said she was 12? Are you serious? This is really bad if that’s true,” before asking, “Do you have any contact with law enforcement?” Do you have a connection?

He then asked if there was anyone older than him before agreeing to the procedure for the 12-year-old girl.

Lancaster was later arrested at the hotel on 14 November.

Jennifer Chmiel, superintendent of the Manchester School District, said in a statement that Lancaster, who oversees the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program and serves as a liaison between the U.S. Navy and the school district, is on administrative leave. claims.

Chmiel emphasized that the allegations are not connected to any students in their district and that they will continue to cooperate with law enforcement regarding the incident.

Chmiel said court documents revealed that Lancaster’s illegal activities took place during school days, adding “a new layer of serious concern to an already troubling set of allegations against Mr. Lancaster.”

“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we are focused on supporting the law enforcement investigation as well as ensuring our students receive the support they need,” Chmiel said.

Jonnagodda and Lancaster were released from custody under various conditions.

According to court documents, Jonnagodda must comply with a curfew set by his supervisor, which includes electronic monitoring. He was also banned from using internet-enabled devices and had to have computer monitoring equipment installed.

Court documents state that Lancaster received similar orders but was kept under home detention with electronic monitoring.

Bollu remains in custody while awaiting a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday at 13.30.

Bollu’s attorney, Jeffrey Levin, declined to comment on the case. Jonnagodda’s attorney, Charles Keefe, and Lancaster’s attorney, Jaye Rancourt, were not immediately available for comment.

Two more people were arrested during the operation, including Arthur Picano, 42, of Bradford and Ozeias Luiz Guilherme, 38, of Haverhill. All five men are accused of attempting to traffic children.

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