Four more arrested in ongoing abuse probe at state's youth detention centers

New Hampshire Youth Services Center in Manchester, where abuse is alleged to have occurred. (AP photo)

CONCORD - Four additional arrests were made on Wednesday in connection with the ongoing abuse investigation at Youth Development Centers, bringing the total number of individuals arrested thus far to 11. The charges are alleged to have occurred between 1997-2007.

Arrested were:

Jonathan Brand, 56, Concord

· 2 counts of felonious sexual assault

· This charge involves allegations by one former resident of the Sununu Youth Services Center (SYSC) occurring between March 13, 2007 and May 30, 2007

· Held without bail; arraignment expected to occur today at Manchester Circuit Court

Victor Malavet, 58, Gilford

· 7 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault

· The charges involve allegations by one former resident of the Youth Detention Services Unit (YDSU) in Concord, N.H. occurring between June 2001 and November 2001

· Held without bail; arraignment expected to occur today at Concord Circuit Court

Trevor Middleton, 52, Belmont

· 1 count of aggravated felonious sexual assault

· 1 count of felonious sexual assault

· The charges involve allegations by one former resident of the YDC occurring between May 10, 1999 and March 16, 2001

· Held without bail; arraignment expected today at Manchester Circuit Court

Stanley Watson, 52, Allenstown, N.H.

· 3 counts aggravated felonious sexual assault

· The charges involve allegations by two former residents of the YDC occurring between 1997-1999

· Held without bail; arraignment expected today at Manchester Circuit Court

The investigation into child abuse allegations occurring at YDC and YDSU remains active and ongoing. The aforementioned arrests do not represent the culmination of the investigation but are merely the next step forward in this comprehensive and multi-faceted investigation.

Any person with information regarding criminal conduct at the YDC is urged to contact the New Hampshire Attorney General's Task Force hotline at 271-4000.

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 is 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.