George County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that charges were filed in Vermont against a Vermont man following a multi-agency investigation into the online exploitation of a minor.
The investigation began in September 2025 after a concerned parent reported an adult male communicating with their child on the social media platform TikTok, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division identified a suspect believed to reside in Vermont and coordinated with Vermont authorities, leading to a search warrant at the suspect’s residence.
In coordination with the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, authorities charged James Townsend, 41, of Woodstock, Vermont, the sheriff’s office said. Townsend faces one felony count of luring a child, five felony counts of possession of sexual abuse materials and one misdemeanor count of possession of child sexual abuse materials.
Authorities in Vermont allege that between June and October 2025 Townsend attempted to lure a 9-year-old to engage in sexual acts and possessed child sexual abuse material involving children ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old. The investigation remains active and additional charges may be forthcoming, officials said.
Sheriff Mitchell Mixon said, “This case serves as a critical reminder to all parents and guardians about the dangers that exist online. Individuals who intend to harm children often hide behind fake profiles and anonymous accounts, making it difficult to know who is truly on the other side of the screen.” He urged parents to closely monitor children’s internet use.
The George County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and partnering agencies for their assistance. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
