⏱ 2 min read
Ian Blochwitz, a 34-year-old from Buffalo, New York, traveled to Vermont to sexually abuse a 12-year-old child he met on an anonymous text and video platform. The crime occurred on February 20, 2023, when Blochwitz rented a car and picked up the child near her Vermont home, taking her to a short-term rental in Whitehall, New York. There, he subjected the child to sexual abuse and intimidation, forcing her to wear degrading items to fulfill his fantasies. Before returning the child to her residence, Blochwitz attempted to delete their correspondence from her phone.
Despite his attempts to control and silence the child, she came forward and reported the abuse. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Blochwitz’s apartment on September 14, 2023, recovering his cell phone, which contained visual depictions of child sex abuse involving a second child.
Blochwitz pleaded guilty to transporting a child in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. On April 27, 2026, he was sentenced to 120 months in prison, followed by a 6-year term of supervised release, and ordered to pay $6,166.80 in restitution to the victims.
The investigation was commended by First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt, who thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Department for Children and Families for their coordination and assistance.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: Vermont
- Location: VT
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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