The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Bowdish, 78, of Weybridge, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The Court, Judge Robert Katims presiding, sentenced the defendant by agreement to eight years of probation with conditions that restrict his access to the internet and contact with minors, and require him to successfully complete sex offender treatment. If Mr. Bowdish violates the terms of his probation, he may face two to five years in jail. Mr. Bowdish will also be required to register as a sex offender for 10 years after the completion of his sentence.
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: Amelia Vath, Outreach and Communications Coordinator, 802-828-3171