New Hampshire Confronts Its Troubling Past: Former Youth Counselor's Sex Assault Trial Begins Amid Broader Abuse Investigation

The search for justice, often a long and arduous path, is once again in the spotlight in New Hampshire. Jeffrey Buskey, a 60-year-old former counselor at the state's youth detention center, found himself in court this week as his sexual assault trial commenced. Buskey, who hails from Litchfield, stands accused of heinous acts that allegedly occurred in the late 1990s at a facility now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center, in Manchester. It’s a moment many have been waiting for, a critical step in a much larger story of alleged systemic abuse.

At the heart of the prosecution's case is the testimony of David Meehan, who claims Buskey sexually assaulted him when Meehan was just 14 years old, after arriving at the center in 1995. One can only imagine the courage it took for Meehan to first share his story with his wife in 2017, years after the alleged incidents, finally breaking a silence that had surely weighed heavily on him. His allegations against Buskey are serious, forming a painful chapter in his life that has now come before the criminal courts.

This isn't Meehan's first time seeking accountability. Just earlier this year, in May 2024, a jury in Rockingham County awarded him a staggering $38 million in a civil lawsuit related to the abuse he allegedly suffered. However, that isn't the final word on the matter, as the state is currently disputing the sum, hoping to significantly reduce the payout to a fraction of the original award, specifically $475,000. It adds another layer of complexity to an already emotionally charged situation, highlighting the ongoing legal battles survivors often face.

Buskey, through his defense attorney Delia McCarthy, maintains his innocence. McCarthy contends that there's no corroborating evidence to back up Meehan’s claims and has pointed to what she describes as inconsistencies in his story. She’s also brought up Meehan's history of mental illness, suggesting past delusions and hallucinations could impact his testimony. Buskey himself has stated that he and Meehan had a "great relationship," unequivocally denying any abuse. These counter-arguments will undoubtedly form a central part of the defense's strategy as the trial progresses.

It's important to remember that Buskey's trial is not an isolated incident; it’s a piece of a much larger, disturbing mosaic. This particular criminal investigation, which began in 2019, has led to charges against over a dozen former staff members from the Youth Development Center, a facility named after former Gov. John H. Sununu. The allegations stretch back over six decades, painting a grim picture of widespread physical, sexual, and emotional abuse within its walls. Some former workers, like Bradley Asbury, Stanley Watson, and James Woodlock, have already been convicted, while others, such as Stephen Murphy and Lucien Poulette, are still awaiting trial, or, like Jonathan Brand, have been acquitted.

As Audriana Mekula, the prosecutor in Buskey's case, works alongside Associate Attorney General Thomas Velardi and the state's legal teams, the community watches. This trial isn’t just about Jeffrey Buskey; it’s about acknowledging a dark chapter in New Hampshire's history, about seeking truth for survivors like David Meehan, and about ensuring that such alleged systemic failures never happen again. The pursuit of justice, slow though it may be, continues.