Burlington Resident Sentenced to Probation for Attempted Luring of a Child

The Attorney General's Office today announced that Robert Charbonneau, 52, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of attempted luring of a child. Mr. Charbonneau's conviction is the result of an investigation conducted by the Hartford Police Department in cooperation with the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC).

The Court, Judge Robert W. Katims presiding, sentenced the defendant to zero to five years to serve, all suspended, with 12 years of probation. The conditions of probation restrict Mr. Charbonneau's access to female minors under 16 and require him to complete sex offender programming and treatment, to submit to searches and periodic polygraph examinations, and not to possess a computer or electronic devices with recording capabilities unless approved by his probation officer. Mr. Charbonneau will be required to complete sex offender treatment at the direction of his probation officer, and he will be required to register as a sex offender for a 10-year period following the completion of his term of probation.

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 NCMEC's website.

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 the online resources page or call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678.

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