DALTON, N.H. (AP) – A member of the Dalton School Board has been charged with sexually assaulting a child under 17, and more charges could follow, police said.

Andre Alba, 58, was arrested Thursday night on a charge of aggravated felonious sexual assault on a child under 17, state police said.

State Trooper Jonathan Stephens said the investigation involves more than one victim and authorities expect to bring more charges. He would not give details.

Alba was being held on $50,000 bail at the Coos County jail in Lancaster. A preliminary hearing on the evidence against him is scheduled for Dec. 17 in Lancaster District Court.

Town police Chief John Tholl, who is also a state representative, said the investigation involves Alba’s adopted sons

Neighbors said the boys came from the Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J., metropolitan area. Alba, who is divorced and has adult children of his own, was originally from Philadelphia and still has family in the area, neighbors said.

Six boys – three sets of brothers ranging in age from about 7 to 16 – were living with Alba at the time of the arrest, neighbors said. They were removed by child protective workers Thursday and placed in foster homes.

Four of the boys had been adopted, while adoptions were pending for the two youngest, who moved in about two months ago, neighbors said. Alba has another, older adopted son, Tony, 21, who left the home nearly three years ago and is now serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in Okinawa.

Neighbors said all the boys were placed in Alba’s home through Bethany Christian Services in North Andover, Mass.

Officials at the agency did not immediately return a message seeking comment Sunday afternoon.

AP-ES-12-07-03 1703EST



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