Springfield man extradited on child sex charge

A Springfield man will be extradited to New York to face a charge that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a 6-year-old boy eight years ago.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20130813/THISJUSTIN/130819973

Springfield man extradited on child sex charge August 13,2013 Rutland Herald By ERIC FRANCIS CORRESPONDENT WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man will be extradited to New York to face a charge that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a 6-year-old boy eight years ago. Kristopher Royce, 23, was arrested Monday in Springfield and taken to White River Junction criminal court, where he appeared drawn and dejected as he was presented with extradition papers signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin. Judge Katherine Hayes ordered Royce held without bail while he waits to be taken to Jefferson County, N.Y., where a grand jury issued an indictment against Royce in May. The felony charge is “course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree.” The indictment alleges that over three months in 2005-06, when Royce was 16, he sexually molested a 6-year-old boy in Rutland, N.Y. New York authorities had originally requested in May that a “detainer” be placed on Royce, who had been arrested in Springfield in April for allegedly violating the terms of his Vermont probation from an earlier conviction. At the time, Royce was incarcerated at the St. Johnsbury prison. The prison superintendent, Al Cormier, said Tuesday that Royce posted bail and was released July 20 despite New York's detainer request because New York officials had originally listed their warrant as non-extraditable. The governors' extradition process gave Vermont officials the authority to make an arrest. Royce made headlines in Springfield two years ago when he was caught minutes after he smashed a window at the Mobil Station on River Street and made off with four jugs of maple syrup. In a plea deal, he was convicted of a felony count of unlawful mischief.