A 33-year-old man from Hartford, Vermont, Matthew Isaacs, faces charges of producing child sexual abuse materials, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced. Isaacs' initial court appearance is scheduled today at 2 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford in Burlington.
Court documents allege Isaacs repeatedly abused a five-year-old girl living on the same floor of his apartment and captured images during the incidents. The images, reportedly modified with inappropriate content, implicate Isaacs, identifiable by a tattoo. Notably, Isaacs was previously charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child in Vermont Superior Court and was on release conditions when arrested federally.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminded that these are only allegations and Isaacs is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years. The final sentence would be determined by the District Court, guided by federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the Hartford Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations for their work. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt is prosecuting the case, and the Office of the Federal Public Defender represents Isaacs.
The charges are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to address child exploitation and abuse. More information on this initiative is available at Justice.gov/PSC.