Northfield Resident Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

The Attorney General's Office announced that Travis Papineau, 41, of Northfield, Vermont, was sentenced on April 11, 2025, in Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The Court, Judge Michael Harris presiding, sentenced the defendant, after a contested sentencing hearing, to two to eight years in prison, all suspended except two years, and a ten-year term of probation with conditions that mandate completion of sex offender programming, limit his contact with children, and restrict his access to the internet. If Mr. Papineau violates the terms of his probation, he may face up to eight years in jail. Mr. Papineau is also required to register as a sex offender for life.

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, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171