Brian Wood, a 22-year-old resident of Hartford, Vermont, has been arraigned on a felony charge of luring a child. The Attorney General’s Office revealed that the charge follows an investigation by the Hartford Police Department and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), with assistance from the Attorney General’s Office.
The investigation involved executing search warrants and led to allegations that Mr. Wood engaged in sexually explicit conversations with an individual he believed to be a minor through Snapchat and Facebook.
At his arraignment on February 24, 2025, in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Unit, Criminal Division, Mr. Wood entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Heather Gray imposed conditions restricting his access to minors, electronic devices, and the internet.
VT-ICAC focuses on investigating child sexual exploitation cases over the internet and offers forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education outreach.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) serves as a centralized reporting system for online child exploitation. Reports can be made regarding various forms of online child exploitation by calling their 24-hour center at 1-800-843-5678 or visiting their website.
For those recovering from child sexual exploitation, NCMEC provides support services including emotional aid, content removal from the internet, and help finding mental health professionals. More information is available on their website or via their hotline.