Contact: Domenica Padula, Chief, Criminal Division, 802-828-3171
Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced that Antonia Tyson of Vernon, Vermont was arraigned today on five felony counts of possession of child pornography. According to documents filed with the court, Mr. Tyson was arrested after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and discovered images of what appeared to be child pornography on one of his electronic devices.
Mr. Tyson pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in the Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division. The court released him on conditions of release which include limitations on his access to children.
These charges stem from an investigation by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Brattleboro Police Department, and Vermont State Police. Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigates cases of child sexual exploitation occurring over the internet, including the production and online sharing of child pornography. This Task Force also provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education and outreach. The Attorney General’s Office, United States Attorney’s Office, Vermont State Police, and other county and municipal law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies are affiliated with the Task Force.
The Attorney General emphasizes that individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.