The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edwin Read, 31, formerly of Royalton and Barre, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division, after previously pleading guilty to one count of felony Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one count of felony Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Second Offense, one count of misdemeanor Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry, and one count of misdemeanor Unlawful Mischief. Mr. Read was sentenced by the court to 25 years to life to serve.
Mr. Read was previously convicted of Possession of Child Pornography (currently referred to as child sexual abuse material) in Orange County, Vermont, in 2015 and was required to register as a sex offender because of that conviction. In October 2019, police were notified that possible “child pornography” had been located in Mr. Read’s vehicle after he was arrested on a warrant for not updating his location on the sex offender registry. During the execution of search warrants, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) located numerous images of child sexual abuse material on Mr. Read’s electronic devices. In November 2019, a child disclosed having been sexually abused by Mr. Read. During an interview with VT-ICAC detectives, Mr. Read admitted to sexually abusing the child and possessing child sexual abuse material on his devices.
At the contested sentencing hearing, the State of Vermont argued for a total sentence of 25 years to life, the maximum permitted pursuant to the plea agreement, which was supported by the family of the child victim. The Court, Judge John R. Treadwell presiding, sentenced the defendant to 25 years to life to serve.
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.
Every child deserves a safe childhood. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) is the nation’s centralized reporting system for the online exploitation of children. Anyone can make reports of suspected online enticement of children for sexual acts, child sexual molestation, child sexual abuse material, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to a child, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet. To make a report, call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or visit https://report.cybertip.org.
Additionally, if you are recovering from child sexual exploitation, you do not have to navigate it alone. NCMEC can help with emotional and peer support, removing content from the internet, and locating mental health professionals. For more information, please visit https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources or call the 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678.
CONTACT: Lauren Jandl, Chief of Staff, 802-828-3171