Sean Guillette, Child Sexual Abuse Material, Vermont 2021

Sean Guillette, 57, of Burlington, Vermont, Sentenced to 188 Months Imprisonment for Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Sean Guillette, a 57-year-old resident of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced to 188 months’ imprisonment by Judge Christina Reiss in United States District Court for receiving child pornography, also referred to as child sexual abuse material. Guillette’s sentencing proceeding took place on October 21, 2021, after he pleaded guilty to the charges in the same month.

According to court records, Guillette sought and downloaded dozens of images and a video of child sexual abuse material on various occasions between November 2018 and April 2019. Following an encounter with officers from the Burlington Police Department in April 2019, Guillette attempted to remotely delete these materials. However, analysis of a cell phone and online account belonging to Guillette revealed images of sexual abuse of children ranging in ages from infant to teenager.

Guillette has multiple prior State of Vermont convictions for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and has previously served 17 years in jail. His prior offenses included two convictions for groping young girls in public places. Notably, despite having access to treatment for sex offenders while in custody, Guillette failed to complete the treatment and was terminated from the program. In June 2019, after his release from jail, Guillette approached a young girl in a store and groped her.

Guillette’s 188-month sentence includes a 16-year term of supervised release, which will begin after his release from prison. He has also been ordered to pay a total of $12,000 in restitution to four victims who were depicted in the images that Guillette received.

Nikolas P. Kerest, United States Attorney, commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Burlington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Cate and Nate Burris prosecuted the case. Guillette is represented by Devin McLaughlin, Esq.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the federal government. The project marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Guillette’s case highlights the importance of continued efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. His sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of these crimes and the need for vigilance in protecting our children.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Robert Cutter, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, New York 2024

Nov 18, 2024

Sex Crimes

Kilunnun Adyden Chivoski, Cross-Country Child Sex Abuse, OR 2017

Mar 30, 2017

Sex Crimes

Colton Wiggins, Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Kansas 2026

Jul 16, 2026

Sex Crimes

Lonny Joseph DiTirro, Child Pornography Production and Possession, Nevada 2015

May 1, 2019