DERBY — Jason Benn, 35, of Derby, was arraigned Tuesday on felony charges of luring a child and possession of child sexual abuse material, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office announced today.
Benn allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 13-year-old child. The child disclosed these conversations to a third party, who reported it to law enforcement. Additionally, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a suspect uploading child sexual abuse material to Snapchat. The investigation identified Benn as a suspect.
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Benn pleaded not guilty in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division. Judge Justin Jiron ordered conditions of release restricting Benn’s contact with minors and internet access.
The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
VT-ICAC investigates cases of child sexual exploitation occurring over the internet and provides forensic examination services, technical assistance, law enforcement training, and public education.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates a 24-hour call center at 1-800-843-5678 for reporting suspected online exploitation of children. Reports can also be made online at https://report.cybertip.org.
