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The United States Attorney's Office
Northern District of Vermont
NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN ACCUSED OF CHILD EXPLOITATION
April 13, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
The
Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated
that Carlo Dobrich, 37, of Claremont, New Hampshire, was indicted on
April 12, 2007, by a federal Grand Jury sitting in Burlington, Vermont
on charges that he used a computer to attempt to entice a 13-year old
girl to engage in unlawful sexual activity.
According to the FBI affidavit on file in the case, on December 18, 2006, Chief Douglas Robinson of the Norwich Police Department logged onto an Internet chat room posing as a 13-year old girl named "Connie." While logged on, Connie was contacted by someone using the screen name of "Smokejumper," later identified as Dobrich. During the ensuing Internet chat, Dobrich questioned "Connie" extensively about her sexual experience and described in graphic detail the sexual acts he wanted to "teach" her. The two arranged to meet at a restaurant in Norwich, Vermont. Dobrich showed up at the restaurant and was arrested. If convicted, Dobrich faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a statutory maximum of life in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined in accordance with the federal Sentencing Guidelines in the event of a conviction. United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson stated that the indictment is an accusation only and that Dobrich is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Anderson noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department. Mr. Dobrich is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Masterson.
According to the FBI affidavit on file in the case, on December 18, 2006, Chief Douglas Robinson of the Norwich Police Department logged onto an Internet chat room posing as a 13-year old girl named "Connie." While logged on, Connie was contacted by someone using the screen name of "Smokejumper," later identified as Dobrich. During the ensuing Internet chat, Dobrich questioned "Connie" extensively about her sexual experience and described in graphic detail the sexual acts he wanted to "teach" her. The two arranged to meet at a restaurant in Norwich, Vermont. Dobrich showed up at the restaurant and was arrested. If convicted, Dobrich faces a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 10 years in prison, a statutory maximum of life in prison, and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined in accordance with the federal Sentencing Guidelines in the event of a conviction. United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson stated that the indictment is an accusation only and that Dobrich is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Anderson noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justices Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Norwich Police Department. Mr. Dobrich is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Masterson.
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