Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Jason McGrath, a 45-year-old resident of South Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to produce child sexual abuse materials. The sentencing took place on December 2, 2025, before United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier. After serving his prison term, McGrath will be subject to a 10-year period of supervised release. He had previously pleaded guilty and has been detained since that plea.
Court documents revealed that McGrath used an internet messaging application to communicate with two individuals, offering payment in exchange for the creation of original child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). He sent money and received material from at least one user depicting a child as young as eight years old. Additionally, McGrath exchanged more than 1,800 messages with another individual, instructing them on how to sexually abuse an 11-year-old girl and requesting photographs documenting the abuse.
First Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher acknowledged the joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce. He also thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ophardt prosecuted the case, while Assistant Federal Defender Carmen Brooks represented McGrath.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at Justice.gov/PSC.
