Former Groton Resident Sentenced to Jail for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Attempted Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance

The Attorney General's Office today announced that Mark Bissonnette, 55, formerly of Groton and Newbury, Vermont, and currently in custody in St. Johnsbury, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to three felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, one felony count of Attempted Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and one count of Violating Conditions of Release.

The Court, Judge Michael Kainen presiding, sentenced the defendant to one to 15 years and six months in prison after a contested sentencing hearing. Mr. Bissonnette is also required to register as a sex offender until 10 years have passed since the completion of his sentence.

VT-ICAC investigates cases of child sexual exploitation occurring over the internet, including the production and online distribution of child sexual abuse materials. VT-ICAC also provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education and outreach.

Every child deserves a safe childhood. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is the nation's centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. Anyone can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. To make a report, call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or visit https://report.cybertip.org .

Additionally, if you are recovering from child sexual exploitation, you do not have to navigate it alone. NCMEC can help with emotional and peer support, removing content from the internet, and locating mental health professionals. For more information, please visit https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources or call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678.

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171