Judge: 'you had the world at your fingertips, and then just threw it away'

Formers Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave walking toward a courtroom to receive his sentencing. About an hour later Sheriff's deputies he used to lead prepared to cuff him. (WMUR screenshots)

DOVER - From being hailed as New Hampshire's first black sheriff to being disgraced as a thief who pilfered thousands of taxpayer dollars from county coffers to lead a jet-setting life as playboy and bon vivant, it's been quite a fall from grace for the former Strafford County Sheriff.
On Monday, the day of sentencing in Strafford Superior Court, all the bad decisions came back to roost.
Brave was sentenced to three and a half to seven years in a New Hampshire state prison for perjury during grand jury testimony.
Brave will spend a minimum of three and a half years and will also have to repay almost $1,900 to the county, surrender all law enforcement certifications and be placed on a national registry of decertified officers.
New Hampshire General John Formella said the sentencing shows that no one is "above the law."
"His repeated lies, misuse of taxpayer funds, and abuse of office were not just criminal -- they were a profound betrayal of the public trust and the oath he took to serve with integrity," he added.
Just prior to sentencing on Monday Brave told the court, "as an investigation turned into a prosecution I compounded my poor choices by lying to a grand jury. I was afraid, and in my fear I tried to protect the life that I had built, and my daughter."
Strafford Superior Court Judge Dan St. Hilaire told Brave, ""you had the world at your fingertips, and then just threw that all away."
His troubles began in August 2023, when Brave was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to the misuse of county funds and falsification of evidence. He stole nearly $19,000 by submitting false reimbursement claims for personal expenses, such as trips to Boston and Florida, and misappropriated funds through fraudulent claims for airfare, hotel stays, and meals.
He also altered a receipt to hide the identity of a female companion. Brave also lied during his Grand Jury testimony, fabricating event attendance, falsely claiming a meeting with a U.S. Congressman, and denying the presence of a female companion. He also misrepresented a Florida trip involving a female employee and initially claimed a Boston trip was for a charity fundraiser, later admitting it was for a dinner cruise with a paramour.

The Rochester Voice reached out to the New Hampshire Department of Corrections to see if Brave would be given any special accommodations during his incarceration, or if he would be in general population. They have not gotten back to us.