Former stepfather of slain Vermont girl sentenced to more than 16 years on child porn charges
By APFriday, September 11, 2009
Former stepfather of slain Vermont girl sentenced
SAN ANTONIO — The former stepfather of a slain 12-year-old Vermont girl has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison on child pornography charges.
U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentenced Raymond Gagnon (GAN’-yuhn) in San Antonio on Friday to 16 years and eight months in federal prison. Gagnon expressed grief and remorse in accepting the sentence.
The FBI searched Gagnon’s home after his former stepdaughter, Brooke Bennett, disappeared in Vermont last summer. Gagnon pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography, and admitted to having hundreds of pictures and video.
Gagnon had been married to Brooke’s mother for four years before they separated in 2004.
Brooke’s uncle, Michael Jacques, is accused of molesting and strangling Brooke in July 2008. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Jacques pleaded not guilty last fall to charges including kidnapping with death resulting.
