The Attorney General’s Office announced that Richard E. Irish, 56, of South Royalton, Vermont, was arraigned today on two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Irish 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, Vermont State Police, and with the assistance of the South Royalton Police Department and the Randolph Police Department.
The investigation was initiated when VT-ICAC received CyberTipline Reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an individual had uploaded suspected images of child sexual abuse material to the BingImage platform. Based on the criminal investigation of these tips, Mr. Irish was identified as the source of the child sexual abuse material uploaded to BingImage.
Mr. Irish pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Heather Gray presiding, ordered conditions of release which prohibit Mr. Irish’s contact with minors and access to the internet.
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