CONTACT: Charity Clark, Assistant Attorney General, (802) 828-3171
Attorney General T.J. Donovan announced today that John Wood of Lowell, Vermont was sentenced on March 9, 2020 in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Luring a Child. The presiding judge was Judge Gregory Rainville. The sentencing was contested with the State arguing for up to two years of imprisonment and Mr. Wood, through his attorney, arguing for a fully suspended sentence. Ultimately, the court sentenced Mr. Wood to 2 to 5 years imprisonment, all suspended, and was placed on probation for 10 years. While on probation, Mr. Wood will be subject to special conditions of probation designed for sex offenders, including conditions that require him to successfully complete sex offender treatment and limit his access to the internet and to children under the age of 16. Mr. Wood will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Mr. Wood’s conviction stemmed from an investigation, which revealed that he asked an undercover police officer, whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, to engage in sex acts with him. This investigation was conducted by the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, Colchester Police Department, Burlington Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigates cases of child sexual exploitation occurring over the internet. 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.