By Guy Page
A Wells man has been arrested on child sexual abuse material charges as part of a multi-state investigation that began in New Hampshire, authorities said.

According to a statement published on the Newport, New Hampshire Police Department Facebook page, investigators identified Alexander Henry of Wells as an additional suspect while examining suspected online sexual exploitation of a minor connected to the MeetMe social networking application.

Henry was arrested with assistance from the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. He is charged with possession of child sexual abuse material and promoting a recording of sexual conduct, police said.

Authorities did not release Henry’s age or additional details about the circumstances of his arrest. Officials said further information about his case would be available through the Attorney General’s Office.

The Vermont arrest stemmed from a broader investigation launched in February after the Newport Police Department received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about suspected online exploitation involving a minor.

Investigators traced the activity to an apartment building in Newport, New Hampshire, and arrested 20-year-old Madison Aldrich. Police said Aldrich faces a Class A felony charge of possession of child sexual abuse images and is being held without bail.

Newport police said the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests and charges are possible.

The Newport Police Department is part of the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes local, state, and federal partners working to investigate online crimes against minors.