Alleged kidnapper arrested in Springfield facing federal charges

A New Hampshire man facing charges in Vermont stemming from his alleged sexual assault and kidnapping of a minor is now facing federal child pornography charges.

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Alleged kidnapper arrested in Springfield facing federal charges | October 15, 2017 By CAMERON PAQUETTE cameronp@eagletimes.com Kurt Carpentino — COURTESY OF VERMONT STATE POLICE CONCORD — A New Hampshire man facing charges in Vermont stemming from his alleged sexual assault and kidnapping of a minor is now facing federal child pornography charges. Kurt Carpentino, 33, was indicted on Oct. 4 by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire on two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. According to the indictment, on a date “between, on or about” Oct. 1, 2016 and April 27, 2017 in New Hampshire, Carpentino allegedly coerced a girl under the age of 18 “to engage in sexually explicit content for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct,” namely two photo files. The indictment further alleges that Carpentino, on or about April 26 or 27, transported a female minor from New Hampshire to Vermont to have sex. The U.S. Department of Justice lists the penalty for transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and possession of child pornography as up to 15 years in prison each. The penalty for sexual exploitation of a minor carries a penalty of between 15 and 30 years in prison. Carpentino was arrested in Springfield after local police spotted him driving through town on April 27. The sighting came after Vermont State Police had responded to a reported sighting of the 14-year-old victim in Rockingham, where Carpentino had allegedly brought the minor. Following his arrest, Carpentino pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Windham County Superior Court, and was ordered held without bail at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield. Carpentino was also charged in May with obstruction of justice and violation of conditions of release after allegedly attempting to contact the victim through “several third parties.” According to Vermont State Police, Carpentino allegedly was trying to persuade the victim to change their initial statement.