Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Jeffery Paul Coolidge, 61, of Montpelier, Vermont, was sentenced on April 10 to 240 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address crimes involving child exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont enforces federal criminal laws and handles civil litigation on behalf of the United States according to the official website.
Court records show that Coolidge befriended a recently immigrated family with two young children in Vermont. He invited them to dinner, gave gifts to their children, and sought opportunities to interact with them. In March 2023, he misled the children's father about a medical exam as a pretext to gain access to their six-year-old son before sexually abusing him. In August 2023, while babysitting the boy again, Coolidge sexually abused him and took photographs that were later distributed on a dark-web site.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said: "I commend Homeland Security Investigations; the Vermont Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Montpelier Police Department; Australian Federal Police; and Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Center for their collaborative investigatory efforts." The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont supports community safety and civil rights through efforts such as reducing crime and protecting victims according to its official website. It serves all areas within Vermont from offices located in Burlington and Rutland according to its official website. The office also fosters partnerships with law enforcement agencies at all levels as well as community partners in order to enhance public safety according to its official website.
