Jason McGrath, a 45-year-old resident of South Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to ten years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to produce child sexual abuse materials. United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier also ordered McGrath to serve a ten-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. McGrath had previously pleaded guilty and has been in custody since entering his plea.
Court documents show that McGrath used an internet messaging application to communicate with two individuals, offering payment for the creation of original child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). He sent money to these users and received material depicting a child as young as eight years old. Additionally, he exchanged over 1,800 messages with another person, instructing them on how to sexually abuse an 11-year-old girl and requesting photographs documenting the abuse.
First Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher recognized the joint efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce in investigating the case. He also acknowledged support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. Assistant Federal Defender Carmen Brooks represented McGrath.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation online through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at Justice.gov/PSC.
