A Reckoning Decades in the Making: Former YDC Counselor Faces Sex Assault Trial in New Hampshire

Come Monday, September 14, 2026, a courtroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, will become the stage for a long-awaited trial. Jeffrey Buskey, a 60-year-old former youth counselor from Litchfield, is finally set to face charges of sexual assault. These aren't just any charges; they stem from harrowing allegations involving four boys at the now-infamous Youth Development Center (YDC) back in the late 1990s.

Indeed, this isn't an isolated incident. The story of the YDC, which has since been renamed the Sununu Youth Services Center, is a truly painful one, deeply etched into the fabric of New Hampshire's history. For years, decades even, allegations of abuse have swirled around the facility, leading to more than 1,100 lawsuits claiming abuse that spanned an astonishing six decades. Just imagine the sheer scale of that; the profound impact on countless young lives.

Among the many courageous individuals who have come forward, David Meehan stands out. He was just 14 years old when he arrived at the YDC in 1995, and it was his initial lawsuit that bravely opened the floodgates for so many others. In a significant development earlier this year, May 2024 to be precise, Meehan was awarded a staggering $38 million in a civil trial. Yet, the fight for justice is never straightforward, is it? The state is actively seeking to reduce that award dramatically, down to a mere $475,000, leaving Meehan and others in a frustrating limbo.

As for Buskey, the legal gears began to grind with his arrest way back in 2019, meaning he’s been awaiting this trial for more than seven years now. Prosecutor Audriana Mekula will be leading the charge for the state, aiming to hold Buskey accountable for the actions alleged during his time at the center. His defense will be mounted by attorney Delia McCarthy, who will undoubtedly work to challenge the prosecution's case.

It’s also important to remember that Buskey’s case is just one piece of a much larger, incredibly complex puzzle. Other individuals connected to the YDC have also faced scrutiny and legal action. Jonathan Brand, for instance, was acquitted in his case. Victor Malavet's trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury, while charges against Trevor Middleton were ultimately dropped. Some, like Frank Davis, were deemed incompetent to stand trial, and sadly, Gordon Searles passed away while awaiting his day in court. Stephen Murphy faces pending charges, with one trial resulting in a mistrial and another with a mixed verdict. Lucien Poulette, too, is awaiting trial. These varying outcomes underscore the intricate and often agonizing path to justice when dealing with such old and sensitive allegations.

This upcoming trial for Jeffrey Buskey, though set years after the initial allegations, represents a pivotal moment for those who suffered at the YDC. It’s a chance, perhaps, for some measure of closure and for a deeper understanding of what truly transpired within those walls. For the survivors, and for the community, it’s a solemn pursuit of accountability for a dark chapter in New Hampshire's history.