New Hampshire Resident Charged with Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance

The Attorney General's Office today announced that Alysha Devoe, 23, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, formerly of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned on one felony count of use of a child in a sexual performance and one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material. The charges brought against Ms. Devoe are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of search warrants, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General's Office.

This investigation was initiated when VT-ICAC received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip was reported by social media platform KIK, after an individual uploaded an image of child sexual abuse material from an electronic device onto its servers. Law enforcement personnel executed a search warrant and through further investigation, identified Ms. Devoe as an individual involved in the use of a child in a sexual performance and possessing an image of child sexual abuse material.

Ms. Devoe pleaded not guilty at her arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Cortland Corsones presiding, ordered a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond and conditions of release which restrict Ms. Devoe's access to the victims and minors.

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.

The Attorney General's Office emphasizes that individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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