The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Andrew Barrows, 22, of Colchester, Vermont, was arraigned on July 14, 2023, on nine felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and one misdemeanor count of Voyeurism. The charges brought against Mr. Barrows are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of residential and online data search warrants, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Vermont State Police, Burlington Police Department, and with the assistance of Colchester Police Department.
The investigation was initiated when VT-ICAC received a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual was uploading suspected images of child sexual abuse materials to multiple Google accounts. Based on the criminal investigation of this tip, Mr. Barrows was identified as the suspected source of the uploads to Google. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Barrows was suspected of generating child sexual abuse materials.
Mr. Barrows pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division. The Court, Judge John Pacht presiding, ordered conditions of release that prohibit Mr. Barrows’ contact with minors and access to the internet, and require a specific residence and responsible adult to monitor Mr. Barrows.
VT-ICAC investigates cases of child sexual exploitation occurring over the internet, including the production and online distribution of child sexual abuse materials. VT-ICAC also provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education and outreach.
The Attorney General’s Office 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.
CONTACT: Lauren Jandl, Chief of Staff, 802-828-3171