Richard Barker Arrested on Charge of Distribution of Child Pornography

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Richard Barker, 65, of Brookline, Vermont, was arrested today on a charge of distribution of child pornography. Barker had his initial appearance today in the United States District Court in Burlington. At the hearing, the Hon. John M. Conroy, United States Magistrate Judge, ordered Barker detained pending trial.

Court records indicate that, in February 2011, Barker traded images of child pornography with an undercover officer on an Internet file-sharing website. Court records further indicate that Barker was convicted in Vermont State Court in 2002 of sexual abuse of a minor. As a result of that conviction, Barker is a registered sex offender.

The criminal complaint charging Barker with distribution of child pornography is an accusation only; he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, in the event of conviction, will be determined by the court with reference to the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Christina Nolan is handling the prosecution. Barker was represented at his initial appearance by Assistant Federal Public Defender Natasha Sen.