VT- Suggestive letters lead to sex charges

10-23-2009 Vermont:

BARRE – A high school sophomore entered a pair of conditional guilty pleas in Vermont District Court on Monday to charges stemming from his decision to leave two sexually suggestive letters in the mailbox of a five-year-old neighbor over the summer.

Standing before Judge Brian Grearson, Edwin Read Jr., 16, essentially admitted he wrote the letters that were addressed to the young girl, discovered by her mother and immediately called to the attention of Barre police back in July.

According to prosecutors, the letters – one written on brightly colored paper and sealed in an envelope decorated with stickers and the other penned on a plain piece of folded white paper – each represent a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

However, a motion filed by Read's lawyer requesting that he be granted "youthful offender status," makes it much less clear what penalties he will actually face. What's more Grearson noted that if the motion, which will be heard in family court, is denied, Read will be within his rights to withdraw the guilty pleas he entered during his arraignment on Monday.

Deputy States Attorney Megan Campbell expressed concern about the possibility Read could be granted youthful offender status given the nature of the letters he wrote to his young neighbor.

"We strongly oppose it your honor," she said of the motion.

Grearson noted Campbell's objection, but said the motion, filed on Read's behalf by his court-appointed lawyer, Maggie Vincent, must be transferred to family court for a hearing. No date has yet been set for that hearing.

During Monday's session, Vincent objected to Campbell's addition of a second count of felony "sexual exploitation – luring child" reading the brief letter on which it was based aloud in open court: "Hey little one. I was wondering what your age is and the size of your underwear. I am 16 and live out on the street. I think that you are really cute and that you are pretty and I was hoping I might be able to meet with you some time after 10 a.m. at the Salvation Army. Love ya.'"

That, Vincent argued, was not sufficient to warrant the second felony charge that was filed against her client.

"You have to infer and imply a lot of information in that and (then) contort it," she said of the letter.

However, Grearson said the suggestive nature of the letter coupled with the request to meet were enough to persuade him there was at least probable cause for the second charge.

The other letter, which arrived in the decorated envelope, was far more suggestive, according to court records that depict Read as someone who continues to wrestle with urges involving young girls.

During a July 18 interview conducted just two days after the letters were discovered, Read allegedly told police he was already attending a group session for sex offenders based on his parents' concerns about writings they found in his room involving young girls. During that interview, he first admitted to writing the letters.

Read, who has been forced to move at least three times since that initial interview, is currently being held at Woodside Detention Facility.

Police quickly focused on Read after the victim's mother mentioned a neighbor whose parents had forbidden him from using the internet for fear he would look up child pornography.

Police first spoke with Edwin Read Sr. He said the handwriting in the letters looked like it could be his son's. They subsequently interviewed Read, who allegedly admitted to writing the letters and being attracted to the young girl. However, he denied acting on those impulses or meeting with the girl. ..Source.. by David Delcore TIMES ARGUS STAFF