BURLINGTON — Robert Charbonneau, 50, of Burlington, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge stems from an undercover investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) and the Hartford Police Department.
Charbonneau allegedly initiated contact online via Kik messenger with a Hartford Investigator posing as a 14-year-old minor and engaged in sexual conversations, attempting to arrange a meeting for sexual acts.
Charbonneau pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, with Judge Navah Spero presiding.
The court ordered conditions of release prohibiting Charbonneau from contacting minors and restricting his internet access.
VT-ICAC specializes in investigating child sexual exploitation over the internet, including the production and distribution of child sexual abuse materials.
The task force provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education and outreach.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) serves as the nation’s centralized reporting system for online exploitation of children.
Reports of suspected online enticement, child sexual molestation, abuse materials, child sex tourism, trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials, and misleading online content can be made to NCMEC’s 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 or through their cyber tip website.
NCMEC also offers support for those recovering from child sexual exploitation, including emotional and peer support, content removal from the internet, and assistance in finding mental health professionals. For more information, visit the NCMEC support page or call the 24-hour call center.
The Attorney General’s Office emphasizes that individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
