Sex offender jailed for alleged probation violation | Local News | #childpredator | #kidsaftey | #childsaftey

A tip from Microsoft led investigators to Potter in 2018. The Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force reported that Potter initially denied having any sexually explicit materials featuring children before he admitted to possessing images of children he called “too young.” Prosecutors said they identified a 7-year-old in one of the images.

An affidavit from the Rutland Probation and Parole office stated they received a complaint Monday morning that Potter had not responded to three attempts to contact him for enrollment in the state’s treatment program for sexual abusers. Participation in the program was one of the conditions of Potter’s probation, according to court records.

Investigators said they went to Potter’s home that morning, where he initially denied them entry and stated he was “going to jail” and that his “life is over” before telling them he had a computer — also a violation of his probation. He then admitted to another violation in having clicked on a link he’d been sent containing pornographic materials, according to affidavits, that he described as for “5- to 17-year-olds.”

Potter told the investigators he had been looking at the material that morning, according to affidavits.

Investigators said Potter signed a form consenting to the seizure of the computer.

In court Monday, Deputy Rutland County State’s Attorney Arthur Brown argued for Potter to be held without bail.

“This is a very quick violation,” Brown said. “It is also my understanding that DOC deems this defendant as a high risk to re-offend.”

Public Defender Rebecca Falcone argued that Potter had stable housing and extensive ties to the community, and that without access to a computer it would be much harder for him to reoffend.

Judge Cortland Corsones called a brief recess and upon resuming the hearing asked Brown what statutes would allow the court to hold Potter without bail Brown said the statute was vague, but that case law supported Potter’s convictions as being the sort of “violent felonies” that remove a defendant’s right to bail on a probation violation.

Potter expressed frustration to his attorney following the hearing.

“I don’t see how I’m violent,” he said. “I’m cooperating.”