Wells Resident Charged with Promotion and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

The Attorney General's Office today announced that Alexander Henry, 19, of Wells, Vermont, was arraigned on five felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and five felony counts of promoting a recording of sexual conduct. The charges brought against Mr. Henry were the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), in collaboration with the Newport, New Hampshire, Police Department.

Mr. Henry pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Cortland Corsones presiding, ordered conditions of release prohibiting Mr. Henry from having contact with minors, from having unsupervised contact with a minor sibling, and from accessing the internet and electronic devices with internet connectivity.

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