NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN SENTENCED TO 27 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Carlo Dobrich, 37, of Claremont, New Hampshire, was sentenced today to 27 months in prison on his plea of guilty to traveling interstate with the intent of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Dobrich was sentenced by the Honorable J. Garvan Murtha, United States District Judge, in Brattleboro, Vermont. Following his prison sentence, Dobrich will be on Federal supervised release for five years. Dobrich will also be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (the Adam Walsh Act).

According to court documents, 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. Dobrich left his residence in Claremont, New Hampshire, and traveled across state lines to Norwich, Vermont to meet "Connie." After his arrest, Dobrich admitted that he was at the restaurant to meet Connie and that he intended to engage in sexual activity with her.

At today's sentencing hearing the United States recommended that Dobrich be sentenced in accordance with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which provided for a sentence of between 46 and 57 months in prison. The United States argued that such a sentence was warranted because of the serious nature of the offense, and the significant danger Dobrich poses to children. The United States further argued that a Guideline Sentence was warranted to send a strong and clear message that individuals who want to sexually exploit children for their own sexual gratification face significant prison terms. Judge Murtha decided not to follow the Sentencing Guidelines and instead imposed a non-Guideline sentence of 27 months. Judge Murtha determined the lower sentence was appropriate based on the defendant's need for sex offender treatment and that such a sentence provided for sufficient punishment and deterrence.

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 Assistant Federal Public Defender Robert Fellrath. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Barbara Masterson.