MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A Groton man has pleaded not guilty to child sexual abuse charges.
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office says Mark Bissonnette, 54, was arraigned Thursday on charges including possession of child sexual abuse materials and attempted use of a child in a sexual performance.
Authorities say the investigation was prompted by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Bissonnette was involved in conversations involving child sexual abuse and online enticement on the social media platform Kik.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Vermont State Police, and Homeland Security.
Bissonnette was released under conditions including a 24-hour curfew.