CONCORD — A Groveton man was arrested on a complaint charging him with a federal child exploitation offense, according to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young.
Brandon Couture, 38, faces one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Couture was taken into custody on June 13 and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Concord later today.
The arrest stems from an incident where Couture allegedly traveled from New Hampshire to Vermont, picked up a minor female and drove her back to New Hampshire intending to engage in criminal sexual activity.
If convicted, the charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a minimum of five years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000 and restitution.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S.
Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Northumberland Police Department and the Essex County, Vermont Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Ward is prosecuting the case.
