2 former youth counselors at YDC indicted on multiple counts of rape of a teen resident in the 1990s

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SununuYouthServices Manchester image by Prime Roofing Corp 1
Sununu Youth Center Photo credit: Prime Roofing Corp

MANCHESTER, NH — Two former youth counselors at the Youth Development Center are under indictment for allegedly raping a teen resident at the facility more than 20 years ago.

Jeffrey Buskey, 52, of Dorchester, Mass. was indicted on 56 felony counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault (AFSA) by a Hillsborough County North Grand Jury.

Stephen Murphy, 50, of Danvers, Mass. was indicted on 26 AFSA counts.

[See indictments below.]

The alleged assaults took place between Oct. 26, 1997, and Sept. 30, 1998, and involved a resident who was a minor in the custody of the YDC at the time of the offenses.

New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announced Thursday that his office is taking over the prosecution of the cases based on the scope and complexity of the matter and because it involves alleged criminal conduct by state employees at a state agency.

The attorney general is also launching a comprehensive, multi-faceted investigation of the YDC and the personnel employed at that agency. The investigation will initially focus on a timeframe between 1990 and 2000.

The investigation will address whether additional juveniles were subjected to physical or sexual violence at the YDC during that time period as well as whether there was conduct which constituted endangering the welfare of a child and violations of state law governing the obstruction of governmental operations.

The attorney general said his office will also investigate any other crimes as dictated by the evidence.

Governor Chris Sununu called the alleged incidents “sickening” and said the state “stands ready to assist and cooperate in any investigation that will bring these detestable perpetrators to justice. I am confident that the Attorney General’s Office will aggressively pursue this case – zero tolerance means zero tolerance.”

NH Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeffrey Meyers said the charges “are shocking to the leadership and staff of the Sununu Youth Services Center and the department. The conduct alleged in the indictments is unconscionable, and the victims of this conduct deserve justice.”

He said his department has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution.

“The Department has worked very hard to assure the safety of youth at SYSC, including meeting the federal guidelines under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). SYSC complies with PREA guidelines,” he said. “The policies and systems that are in place at the current SYSC facility are designed to protect youth who are under our care. All of the leadership and staff at SYSC and the Department are committed to the safety of our youth and to our continuing efforts to prevent the conduct that occurred some 25 years ago.”

Anyone who was physically or sexually assaulted or abused at the YDC is encouraged to contact their local crisis center. Crisis center advocates are available across New Hampshire to provide free and confidential support to anyone impacted by sexual violence.

Crisis center services are also available to anyone who has experienced or witnessed abuse, or who are looking to find ways to support someone who has. Crisis centers can provide individual support, support groups, assistance reporting abuse, help understanding options and the legal system, court and hospital accompaniment, housing assistance, and referrals for local services including mental health and substance abuse services.

To speak with an advocate, please call the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-866-644-3574 or the statewide sexual assault hotline at 1-800-277-5570 or find the crisis center nearest you at https://www.nhcadsv.org/member-programs.html.

In addition, any person with information regarding criminal conduct at the YDC is urged to contact Investigator James Kinney at the Attorney General’s Office at (603) 271-1258 or email: james.kinney@doj.nh.gov.

The indictments returned are merely allegations and Mr. Buskey and Mr. Murphy are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.


Editor’s note: The story and headline have been corrected from a previous version. We strive for accuracy, welcome feedback and corrections when needed, and regret the error.


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About this Author

Pat Grossmith

Pat Grossmith is a freelance reporter.