New Hampshire Grapples with Haunting Abuse Legacy as Former Youth Counselor Faces Sex Assault Trial

The state of New Hampshire is bracing for what promises to be a deeply emotional and significant trial, one that stirs painful memories and shines a harsh light on decades of alleged abuse within its youth detention system. In just a few short years, specifically on Monday, September 14, 2026, Jeffrey Buskey, a 60-year-old former youth counselor from Litchfield, will stand before a jury, facing a staggering 21 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. It’s a moment many have waited for, a crucial step in a long and arduous journey toward accountability that has shaken the Granite State to its core.

Buskey's trial, frankly, represents a key piece of a much larger, agonizing puzzle. The allegations against him center on his time at the Youth Development Center in Manchester, an institution now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center. Among the accusers is David Meehan, who has publicly identified himself and whose bravery has brought much of this suffering into the light. Meehan was reportedly just 14 years old when the alleged assaults began, back in 1995, and Buskey faces accusations involving not just Meehan, but a total of four young boys who were under his care.

What's truly staggering about this particular case is its place within an unprecedented criminal investigation—one of the largest of its kind in U.S. history. Buskey's initial arrest in 2019 really blew the lid off a scandal that had festered for generations. Since then, over 1,100 lawsuits have been filed, painting a grim picture of abuse that allegedly spanned six long decades at the facility. One can only imagine the courage it took for so many individuals to come forward, to revisit such traumatic experiences, all in the hope of finding some measure of justice.

David Meehan, for his part, has already seen some legal recourse, though the path remains fraught with challenges. In May 2024, a civil trial awarded him a monumental $38 million. However, the fight isn't over; the state is actively disputing that verdict, seeking to drastically reduce the payout to a mere $475,000. This contentious battle over compensation adds another painful layer to the saga, highlighting the complexities and ongoing struggles victims face even after a jury has spoken.

Buskey's upcoming trial is by no means an isolated event; it's unfolding amidst a complex tapestry of related legal proceedings. We've seen various outcomes in other cases linked to the Sununu Youth Services Center scandal. Jonathan Brand was acquitted, Victor Malavet’s case ended in a mistrial, and charges against Trevor Middleton were dropped. Frank Davis was deemed incompetent to stand trial, and sadly, Gordon Searles passed away while awaiting his own trial. Stephen Murphy still faces pending charges after a mix of outcomes including a mistrial, an acquittal, and a hung jury, while Lucien Poulette also awaits trial. These varied results underscore the inherent difficulties in prosecuting cases that reach so far back in time, often relying on memories from decades ago and the courage of survivors.

As Monday, September 14, 2026, approaches, all eyes will undoubtedly be on the Hillsborough County Superior Court in Manchester. This trial, with prosecutors Associate Attorney General Thomas Velardi and Audriana Mekula presenting the state's case and Delia McCarthy defending Buskey, isn't just about Jeffrey Buskey; it’s about a community grappling with its past, seeking accountability for profound betrayals, and ultimately, hoping to offer some measure of peace and justice to those who suffered so immensely. It’s a painful but necessary reckoning for New Hampshire.