Font ResizeBRATTLEBORO -- A 50-year-old Brattleboro man charged in Windham Superior Court Criminal Division with two counts of committing two acts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child is being held in a federal facility on an additional charge of possessing and distributing child pornography.
According to documents filed with the United States District Court for the District of Vermont, a search of a computer owned by Robert Arthur Chase uncovered a number of videos depicting child sexual abuse.
In addition, Chase’s computer contained images that appeared to have been taken by Chase of a young child, stated an affidavit filed in Windham District Court Criminal Division.
According to the document, the videos and images on Chase’s computer came to light after the Brattleboro Police Department received an allegation that Chase had sexually assaulted a child under 13 years old. During an interview with police, Chase admitted to the behavior.
Police were also told that Chase had sexually abused and taken pictures of a child several years ago.
According to Barbara Masterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the State of Vermont, Chase was ordered held without bail.
If convicted, Chase could be sentenced to five to 20 years in prison and be fined up to $250,000.
In a press release announcing his arrest, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated the complaint against Chase is an accusation only and he is presumed
Bob Audette can be reached at raudette@reformer.com, or at 802-254-2311, ext. 160. Follow Bob on Twitter @shocked60.
