A former leader at a New Hampshire youth detention center, Bradley Asbury, has been handed a hefty prison sentence for his role in a disturbing case of sexual assault. According to NBC Boston, Asbury was convicted in November of two counts of being an accomplice to aggravated sexual assault that took place back in 1998, and has now received a sentence of 20 to 40 years. The 70-year-old stood accused of holding down then-14-year-old Michael Gilpatrick while another staff member assaulted him at the Sununu Youth Services Center.
During his trial, Asbury maintained his innocence, asserting his intentions to appeal the conviction. "With due respect to the court, I'm maintaining my innocence of these charges and do intend to appeal the convictions," Asbury stated in the Manchester court. His family and friends described Asbury as a devoted family man and mentor, as demonstrated in letters submitted to the court which Judge William Delker said he had carefully read. Despite these character attestations, Delker emphasized the gravity of Asbury's actions, highlighting the egregious breach of trust involved in a figure of authority exploiting their power in such a heinous manner, as detailed by NBC Boston.
As reported by WMUR, the case against Asbury is part of a larger investigation into the Youth Development Center (YDC) which revealed a pattern of alleged abuse. Michael Gilpatrick, now 41, has bravely come forward to detail the abuse he suffered. In a statement obtained by WMUR, Gilpatrick expressed his lack of sympathy for Asbury, dubbing him a "monster" during his hours on the job. More than a thousand former residents have filed lawsuits alleging varying forms of abuse at the center, painting a chilling picture of systemic maltreatment spanning six decades.
Asbury's defense lawyer, David Rothstein, requested the judge to consider his client's age and the positive aspects of his character described by supporters when determining the sentence. However, the severity of Asbury's misconduct seemingly overshadowed any mitigating factors. The case has shed light not only on the individual crimes but also on the broader issue of abuse in youth detention facilities, bringing to the forefront the need for systemic reform and accountability. "Let him appeal. There's too many people that have spoken. It's 30 to 40 years of corruption," Gilpatrick told WMUR, highlighting the long period during which such abuses were perpetrated. Asbury's conviction thus represents a significant development within a historical moment of reckoning for the YDC.
