Swanzey Man Avoids Immediate Jail Time Following Plea Deal

The man is facing a suspended 12-month term at the House of Corrections, which will not be enforced for a period of five years.

A 29-year-old resident of Swanzey has been granted a reprieve from jail after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in a case that initially involved serious felony accusations. In Cheshire County Superior Court, Austin Damon entered his plea on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge for the sale of obscene material.

As part of his sentencing arrangement, Damon faces a suspended 12-month term at the House of Corrections, which will not be enforced for a period of five years. Additionally, he is mandated to undergo two years of probation, during which his online activities will be monitored by probation officials.

The resolution of this case is significant as it replaces the previous eight felony charges related to child sexual exploitation that had been brought against him. The prosecution has confirmed that these felony charges will be dismissed in favor of the misdemeanor under the plea deal, which effectively concludes the legal proceedings that were set to advance to trial this month.

Damon first faced indictment by a grand jury in Cheshire County last November, stemming from prior allegations filed in 2024 regarding similar matters. His case had been anticipated to go to trial on the more severe felony charges before the recent plea agreement was established.