"Mr. Pellerin has three prior felony sex offenses in Vermont, a misdemeanor sex offense in Vermont and a felony sex offense in New Hampshire dating back to the 70s for which he was designated a sexually violent person," Sand said.
Thomas Pellerin, 59, has been on Vermont's sex offender registry since the 1990s, though his criminal past dates back even further. The Corrections Department considers him to be a high risk to reoffend. And based on new charges brought Wednesday, it appears that classification was accurate. Pellerin was arraigned on five counts, including lewd and lascivious conduct. He pleaded not guilty to all five charges.
Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand said, "It is alleged that Mr. Pellerin created a scheme where he was posing as area doctors who were allegedly trading sex for drugs. Within that scheme, he allegedly pressured and ultimately forced a 16-year-old to pose for semi-nude photographs."
Springfield Police say the crimes took place in Pellerin's Springfield apartment-- a spot commonly known to area teens who would go there to get high. The new charges are just the latest in a long line for Pellerin. And because of that, prosecutors are charging him as a habitual offender which carries the possibility of a life sentence.
"Mr. Pellerin has three prior felony sex offenses in Vermont, a misdemeanor sex offense in Vermont and a felony sex offense in New Hampshire dating back to the 70s for which he was designated a sexually violent person," Sand said.
Because Pellerin could potentially spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted, he is being held without bail until his trial.
.........Sarah Tofte
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