The Attorney General’s Office announced that William Smith, 57, of Sheldon, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Franklin Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of luring a child. The Court, with Judge Alison Arms presiding, sentenced Mr. Smith by plea agreement to one year in prison and a 15-year term of probation with conditions that he complete sex offender programming, have no contact with minors, and restrict his access to the internet. If Mr. Smith violates the terms of his probation, he faces up to five years in jail. Mr. Smith is also required to register as a sex offender for ten years after he is discharged from 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) serves as the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. Reports can be made about 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, NCMEC offers support services including emotional and peer support, content removal from the internet, and locating mental health professionals. For more information or assistance visit https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources or call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678.