| July 3, 2008 Federal prosecutors: Tragic day for Vermont
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(NECN: Randolph, Vermont) - "Today is a tragic day for Vermont," said U.S. Attorney Thomas Anderson during a news conference this morning on the death of 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. "This investigation is far from over."
Bennett's body was found yesterday afternoon, a week after she was last seen in Randolph.
Her uncle, Michael Jacques, 42, is to face a federal kidnapping charge as well as a charge of aggravated sexual assault on another under-aged girl.
Jacques is charged under the provision of the federal kidnapping statute. The criminal complaint is only a method of bringing charges, not a method of proving guilt. Jacques will be facing charges only in federal court. Jacques faces life in prison or death, if convicted.
In a court affidavit, the FBI says an unnamed 14-year-old girl told investigators that Jacques tricked Bennett into thinking she was going to a party and took her to his home to be initiated into a sex ring.
Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell says "we need to learn from this tragedy and redouble our efforts to protect our children, both online and at home."
An autopsy on Brooke's body will be performed today.
Part 2 of the news conference
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