Michael McBride - Repeat Sex Offender - Child Molester

A 36-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a child in Groton was arrested in Florida Tuesday by U.S. Marshals.

Michael McBride, whose last address was in New Hampshire, is a convicted sex offender who has spent years in federal prison for sexual assault.

"In all my years I've never come across a case that is worse than this guy," said Detective Trooper Mark Potter of the Vermont State Police. "His recidivism rate is through the roof."

McBride hasn't yet been charged with aggravated sexual assault for the Groton incident, because he fled the state before he could be arraigned.

McBride is also wanted in New Hampshire for failing to comply with the state's sex offender registry, said Potter.

McBride found out he was going to be arrested during a custody battle and then fled, according to Potter.

The Vermont arrest warrant for McBride was issued on Jan. 5, 2009.

U.S. Marshalls were actively looking for McBride because of the alleged crimes in Vermont and New Hampshire, said Potter. He was not picked up for another charge in Florida, Potter added.

Carlene Wilder, 45, of Barre, said she is Potter's half-brother.

"When he first got out (of prison) he did a really good job, but he got involved with the wrong people and started making some really bad decisions, so unfortunately he's going have to pay the consequences again," said Wilder.

Wilder said McBride, molested some of her children and other relatives, which came to light when McBride was in the military.

"He was in the service, and he got involved in a bible study group," Wilder said. "There was some deal that he could tell them the worst thing and not go to jail, so he told them he molested kids. They didn't mean he could say something like that."

The confession he made while in the military eventually led to McBride's conviction for sexual assault, said Wilder and Potter.

Potter expects McBride to waive his right to an extradition procedure and be sent first to New Hampshire and then to Vermont.

"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"

.........Sarah Tofte