Milton man gets 2 1/2 years for 'backpage assault' case

Joel Leary (Police photo)

DOVER - The Milton man indicted in an assault and robbery involving a bogus backpage.com prostitution post that preyed on unsuspecting "johns" pleaded guity and was sentenced recently to two and a half years in state prison.
Joel Leary, 22, of 16 McKeagney Road, had been charged with two counts of burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery in the Jan. 17 incident that occurred inside an apartment at 240 Main St., Somersworth.
Backpage.com is a well-known haven for advertising illegal sexual activity such as prostitution and escort services, and it is alleged the victim was enticed to the apartment for sex with a woman.
Shortly after the victim entered the apartment, three males came in after him, beat and robbed him, police said at the time of their arrests. The victim suffered facial cuts and bruising.
Also arrested in the case were Felicia Smart, 22, of 220 Long Shore Road, Barrington, Edwin Dorr, 29, of 6 Plaza Terrace, Somersworth; and Matthew E. Nuernberg, 22, and Chelsey Barratt, 20, both of Apt. 2B, 240 Main St.
One of the burglary indictments alleges Leary did "knowingly use physical force on (the victim)," while the conspiracy indictment alleges Leary, along with the other four, concocted the scheme in which "a posting was created on Backpage.com, advertising female companionship."
The indictment reads, "One or more males were invited to the apartment at 240 Main St., Apt. 2B" and that Leary, Dorr, and Neurenberg "waited outside the apartment until they received communication from Smart to enter."
Neurenberg and Smart, Dorr's girlfriend, were also indicted last month.
Meanwhile, Dorr was was found guilty in August and sentenced on Monday to at least five years in connection with his involvement in the theft and assault.