Keith Partridge Arrested for Distribution of Child Pornography

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Keith Partridge, 27, of Weathersfield, Vermont, was arrested yesterday on a charge of distribution of child pornography. Yesterday, Partridge had an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging him with committing that offense in December 2011 and January 2012. At the hearing, the Hon. John M. Conroy, United States Magistrate Judge, released Partridge on conditions, including that he 1) submit to home detention and radio frequency monitoring; 2) refrain from unsupervised contact with children; and 3) submit to monitoring of his computer use.

Court records indicate that Partridge swapped child pornography online with individuals whom he met in an Internet chat room. Records further indicate that Partridge used a female alias while trading online. Partridge was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at his Weathersfield home on August 28, 2012.

The complaint charging Partridge with distribution of child pornography is an accusation only; he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of this charge, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He could also be fined 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. Partridge is represented by the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Burlington.