Vermont man charged following George County child exploitation investigation
James Townsend (41) of Vermont is charged with a list of child sex crimes after an investigation that began in George County last September (George County Sheriff’s Office)
GEORGE COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)–A Vermont man is facing multiple charges after an online child exploitation investigation that began in George County.
Detectives with the George County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division identified the suspect as 41-year-old James Townsend of Woodstock, Vermont.
The agency then coordinated with law enforcement in Vermont, leading to the execution of a search warrant at Townsend’s home.
According to the George County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation started in September 2025 after a concerned parent reported that an adult male had been communicating with their minor child through TikTok. Investigators also received information indicating the suspect may have been contacting other minor children online.
The Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced that Townsend has been charged with one felony count of luring a child, five felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, and one misdemeanor count of possession of child sexual abuse material.
Townsend allegedly attempted to lure a 9-year-old child into sexual activity between June and October 2025.
Investigators also allege he possessed child sexual abuse material involving children between the ages of 5 and 12.
The George County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains active and that additional charges may be filed as investigators continue working with their law enforcement partners.
