Concord, NH man arrested on multiple felony charges of possession of child sexual abuse images related to Marshall County

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

On November 26^th the Concord, New Hampshire Police Department, arrested 29-year-old Austin Holton for a case that started in Marshall County in July.

Lieutenant Detective Les McFarland notified the Concord Police Department in July about a person he believed was living in Concord and used an online service to entice and solicit explicit content from juvenile females in Marshall County.

A second complaint was made to Concord PD about the same time involving a similar allocation.

A search warrant was executed and led to the discovery of an additional juvenile victim in Belgrade, Montana. With the assistance of the Belgrade Police Department, the victim was located and interviewed.

As a result of the investigation, probable cause was established and an arrest warrant was issued for Austin Holton for seven felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse images, two felony counts of criminal solicitation for the manufacture of child sexual abuse images, and two felony counts of certain use of computer services prohibited.

Holton was transported to the Concord Police Department where he was processed. He refused the services of a bail commissioner and was transported to the Merrimack County House of Corrections. Austin Holton is scheduled to be arraigned in the Concord District Court today.

The Concord Police Dept. was also assisted in the investigation by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Concord Police ask anyone in Marshall County with information about the incident to contact Lt. Det. Les McFarland with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.