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Seven arrested, six arraigned on charges alleging multiple sexual assaults at former YDC

By Dean Shalhoup - Senior Staff Reporter | Apr 9, 2021

File photo Part of the former Youth Development Center campus in Manchester, now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center

MANCHESTER – Allegations of sexual assaults against juvenile detainees dating back as far as more than 25 years – some of which went on for as many as 10 years – were aired against six men Thursday as they went before a judge for the first time.

The men, ranging in age from 51 to 79, were simultaneously taken into custody at various locations Wednesday, charged with crimes accusing them of forcing, or helping other employees force, numerous juveniles detained at the former Youth Development Center into sexual acts, including intercourse and fallatio, according to the complaints filed in court.

Meanwhile, several hours after the six arrests were announced by representatives of the Attorney General’s office, state police troopers who had traveled to Florida in pursuit of a seventh suspect located him and, with the assistance of members of the Hernando County Sheriff’s office, took him into custody.

He’s identified as Gordon Thomas Searles, 65, of Brooksville, Florida, a small city about 50 miles north of Tampa Bay, according to the Attorney General’s office.

Extradition is currently pending for Searles, who is charged with one count of aggravated felonious sexual assault, for allegedly assaulting a former YDC resident between 1995-98.

Jeffrey Buskey, age 54, of Quincy, Massachusetts

As for Thursday’s arraignments, four of the six suspects were ordered held without bail pending bail hearings, which are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. today, according to court files.

High bail was set for the other two suspects, for whom probable cause hearings will be scheduled in the near future.

Those arrested, their charges and brief description of the allegations against them appear below.

Deputy Attorney General Jane Young said in a statement that the investigation into allegations of sexual assaults at the YDC, now called the John H. Sununu Youth Services Center, “remains active and ongoing.”

She said the arrests “do not represent the culmination of the investigation, but are merely a step forward in this comprehensive, and multi-faceted, investigations.”

Lucien Poulette, age 65, of 44 Appletree Road, Auburn

Young said in the statement that anyone with any information regarding alleged criminal conduct at the former YDC is asked to contact the Attorney General’s Task Force hotline at 271-4000.

Further, Young said, anyone who was physically or sexually assaulted or abused at the YDC is encouraged to contact one of the state’s crisis centers, “where advocates are available to provide free and confidential support to anyone impacted by sexual violence,” she said.

Advocates can be reached by calling the statewide domestic violence hotline at 866-644-3574, or the statewide sexual assault hotline at 800-277-5570.

To find the closest crisis center, go to www.nhcadsv.org/member-programs.html.

Charged are the following.

Frank Davis, age 79, of 1926 Clement Hill Road, Contoocook

* Jeffrey Buskey, 54, of 25 Derlon Lane, Litchfield; formerly of Quincy, Massachusetts.

Five counts, aggravated felonious sexual assault, based on allegations by four former YDC residents of incidents between 1996-99. Held without bail. Hearing set for 9 a.m. today.

* Lucien Poulette, 65, of 44 Appletree Road, Auburn.

Twelve counts, felonious sexual assault; 11 counts, aggravated felonious sexual assault; 10 counts, sexual assault, based on allegations by seven former YDC residents of incidents between 1994-2005. Bail set at $100,000 cash or surety. Probable cause hearing to be scheduled.

* James Woodlock, 56, of 1555 Bodwell Road, Manchester.

Bradley Asbury, age 66, of 9 Jacqueline Drive, Dunbarton

Three counts, aggravated felonious sexual assault (accoplice), based on allegations by two former YDC residents of incidents between 1997-99. Held without bail. Hearing set for 9 a.m. today.

* Bradley Asbury, 66, of 9 Jacqueline Drive, Dunbarton.

One count, aggravated felonious sexual assault (accomplice), based on allegations by one former YDC resident of incident between 1997-98. Bail set at $50,000 cash or surety. Probable cause hearing to be scheduled.

* Frank Davis, 79, of 1926 Clement Hill Road, Contoocook.

Five counts, sexual assault; one count, aggravated felonious sexual assault, based on allegations by two former YDC residents of incidents between 1996-97. Held without bail. Hearing set for 9 a.m. today.

James Woodlock, age 56, of 1555 Bodwell Road, Manchester

* Stephen Murphy, 51, of 15 Crestline Circle, Danvers, Massachusetts.

Five counts, aggravated felonious sexual assault, based on allegations by three former YDC residents of incidents between 1997-99. Held without bail. Hearing set for 9 a.m. today pending extradition from Massachusetts.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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