Ryan Upham, a 26-year-old resident of Bethel, Vermont, was arraigned on charges of luring a child. The Attorney General’s Office revealed that the charge stems from an investigation by the Hartford Police Department and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC). According to authorities, Mr. Upham engaged in sexually explicit conversations with an undercover officer who posed as a 13-year-old.
At his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division, Mr. Upham pleaded not guilty. Judge Heather Gray imposed conditions on his release, restricting his contact with minors and access to electronic devices and the internet.
The VT-ICAC focuses on internet-based child sexual exploitation cases, including the production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. They also offer forensic services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) serves as a central reporting system for online child exploitation. Reports can be made via their 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or online at https://report.cybertip.org.
NCMEC provides support for those recovering from child sexual exploitation, offering emotional support and assistance in removing content from the internet. More information is available at https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources or through their call center.
The Attorney General’s Office reiterated that individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.