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Sex Offender Convicted of Luring Minors Again
A sex offender who was previously convicted of luring minors has been convicted again of attempting to coerce a minor to engage in illegal sex. Michael E. Fisher, 39, was found guilty by a jury in Burlington, Vermont, after a trial this week.
The investigation into Fisher began in March 2015, when the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated an investigation after several middle school girls, aged 12-14, reported being contacted by Fisher on Facebook. An ICAC official and South Burlington Police Sergeant Andrew Chaulk made undercover contact with Fisher on Facebook, posing as a 13-year-old middle school student.
Over the course of three days, Fisher sent a multitude of Facebook messages to the purported student, pressing her to have sex with him. He urged her to meet him at Dorset Street Park in South Burlington at noon on April 3, 2015, to have sex in a public restroom. Among other things, Fisher promised the girl that he would bring cigarettes, a beer, and a condom. He also sent her a Google Maps link to the location.
Upon arrival at the park on April 3 at noon, Fisher was arrested by a U.S. Secret Service agent assisting in the investigation, and Sgt. Chaulk. Along with the two mobile phones that Fisher had used to access the Internet and send the Facebook messages, he had brought cigarettes, a beer, and a condom.
The jury heard testimony from the three area middle school girls who were contacted by Fisher, as well as from Burlington Police officers, South Burlington Police officers, and the assisting U.S. Secret Service agent. The government also provided evidence of the many Facebook messages that Fisher sent to the undercover officer, along with evidence of Fisher contacting numerous young girls in early 2015.
Fisher has been detained by the U.S. Marshal’s Service since his arrest. Chief Judge Christina Reiss scheduled sentencing for June 2016. Fisher was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Darrow and Kunal Pasricha.
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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