Wilmington Predator Boles Gets 10 Years in Federal Prison

WILMINGTON, VT – Donald Ray Boles, 59, of Wilmington, Vermont, will spend the next decade behind bars after being sentenced on April 17, 2017, for possessing horrific child pornography. U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions III delivered the sentence in Burlington, Vermont, following a trial conviction that laid bare Boles’ depravity. The sentence includes 120 months of imprisonment, a 10-year supervised release period, and a $100 special assessment.

The FBI raided Boles’ residence back on September 6, 2011, acting on a warrant to search for evidence of his sickening obsession. Agents seized numerous computers and digital media devices. A forensic examination by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force uncovered approximately 140 images of child pornography scattered across the seized devices. But the horror didn’t stop there. Investigators also found thousands of images of child erotica, along with sexually explicit cartoons, anime, and graphic stories illustrating the breadth of Boles’ twisted interests.

This isn’t Boles’ first time facing justice for this vile crime. In 1999, U.S. Customs Service agents executed a similar search warrant, uncovering child pornography at his residence. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession and, in June 2001, Judge Sessions handed down a 15-month prison sentence, followed by two years of supervised release – a clearly insufficient deterrent, given this repeat offense. The system failed to protect potential victims.

The investigation revealed a disturbing network of communication. Boles wasn’t simply hoarding this material; he was actively engaging with other offenders online, sharing his disturbing interest in preschool and toddler girls. This points to a predatory mindset and a calculated effort to connect with like-minded individuals, furthering the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children. The details of these online interactions are particularly chilling.

Acting United States Attorney Eugenia A.P. Cowles rightly commended the tireless work of the FBI, the Vermont ICAC Task Force, and the New York State Police in bringing Boles to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara A. Masterson and Abagail E. Averbach prosecuted the case, while Assistant Federal Defenders Steven L. Barth and Elizabeth K. Quinn represented the defendant. This case underscores the importance of continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution falls under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative dedicated to protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood leverages federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who prey on children online, and to rescue victims. For more information, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.