The Vermont U.S. District Attorneys office announced Thursday

BURLINGTON — The Vermont U.S. District Attorney’s office announced Thursday that on Dec. 19, 2024, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Joshua Hartness, 45, of Colebrook, N.H., with possession of child sexual abuse materials. Hartness entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during arraignment on Dec. 20, 2024 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Hartness be released on conditions. According to the indictment, Hartness allegedly possessed one or more images of CSAM between May 22 and Aug. 26 in 2022. Hartness faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.