By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — The Newport Police Department has announced that they are searching for two fugitives from justice: Aaron Butler, 32, and Kearsten Simpson, 29, both of Newport.
As of November 11, 2022, Newport police have not located either Butler or Simpson. Active warrants are currently held for Butler and Simpson as the result of a New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families, and Newport police conducted an investigation on their residence.
NH DCYF began investigating Butler and Simpson due to concerns regarding the welfare of five minor children in their home. As a result of that investigation, Newport police received a search warrant for a residence in Newport.
Newport police have allegedly found more than 20 grams of what is believed to be fentanyl, as well as more than 80 grams of suspected methamphetamine and cocaine. Police also discovered and removed firearms, as well as other suspected drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Butler’s charges include three counts of Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Distribute in an amount of greater than five grams, police have stated that these are special class felonies, and each carry a maximum term of life in prison. He has also been charged with Armed Career Criminal, a felony charge that occurs when a person who has been charged with three separate felonies is in possession of a firearm. The charge of Armed Career Criminal carries a minimum sentence of 10 years with a maximum of 40. Lastly, he was charged with Felon in Possession, a class B felony that carries a sentence of 3.5 to 7 years of imprisonment. Butler is also currently on federal supervision as a result of a Vermont conviction for sale of controlled substances. Butler was arrested in Vermont in 2017 for possession of a controlled substance while he was a fugitive from the state of New Hampshire.
Simpson has also been charged with three counts of Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Distribute, a charge which according to police will carry a maximum term of 30 years of imprisonment.
“We have not yet been able to locate either Butler or Simpson. We have reached out to both of their attorneys requesting that they turn themselves in. Neither of those attempts have yet been successful,” Detective Sergeant Stephen Lee of the Newport Police Department said on Friday.
The Newport Police Department continues to ask for community assistance in locating both Butler and Simpson. Police also warn that they both could potentially be armed and therefore dangerous. Should anyone have information regarding their whereabouts they are encouraged to call either 911 or contact Detective Alexander Marvin at either (603) 863-3232 or [email protected].
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