Wilmington Resident Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

The Attorney General's Office today announced that Frank Merrick, 83, of Wilmington, Vermont, was arraigned on two counts of felony Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). The charges brought against Mr. Merrick are the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), in collaboration with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Merrick pleaded not guilty at the arraignment today in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division. The Court, Judge Michael Kainen presiding, ordered Mr. Merrick held on $10,000 bail. The Court also ordered Mr. Merrick to obey conditions of release including that he not contact or harass any minors age 16 or younger, that he not loiter in places where children may congregate, that he not access the internet, and that he not possess or use any device capable of internet access.

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.

The Attorney General's Office emphasizes that individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171