A shocking case of child exploitation has come to light in Vermont, with Norman Merrill II, a 45-year-old teacher at Green Mountain Union High School, being charged with producing child sexual abuse material.
According to court records, on May 7, 2022, officers from the Chester Police Department received reports of potential voyeurism occurring at Merrill’s home. An investigation uncovered allegations of a hidden recording device in a bathroom at Merrill’s home, and that Merrill appeared to surreptitiously record young girls who were walking in front of him while at Green Mountain High School.
Chester Police Officers obtained search warrants for Merrill’s home and electronics, and executed them on May 11, 2022, seizing numerous electronic devices, including ‘pinhole cameras’ and a ‘spy camera.’ The Vermont State Police conducted a preliminary examination of a memory card seized from the residence which revealed numerous voyeuristic videos taken in bathrooms.
Some of these videos were taken in a bathroom of defendant Merrill’s residence and were determined to depict nude minor female children. The memory card also contained image files that appear to be screen-captures created from these videos of nude minors.
On May 19, 2022, the federal grand jury in Burlington returned an Indictment charging Merrill with production of child sexual abuse material, attempted production of child sexual abuse material, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an Indictment contains allegations only and that Merrill is presumed innocent until and unless convicted of a crime. If convicted of all charges, Merrill faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of 30 years of imprisonment.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Chester Police Department, Vermont State Police, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Related Federal Cases
- Norman Merrill II, Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, Vermont 2022 · New York
- Richard A. Flynn, Child Pornography Possession, Vermont 2024 · Utah
- Peter Smith, Child Pornography Charges, Vermont 2023 · Vermont
- Colin Germain, Child Pornography, Vermont 2019 · Kansas
- Ryan Beaulieu, Sexual Exploitation of Children and Possession of Child Pornography, Vermont 2024 · Vermont
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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