Brooke's uncle, Michael Jacques, arrested on an unrelated sexual assault charge, has now been named a POI (person of interest) in Brooke's disappearance. Today investigators conducted an extensive search of his home and property.It is reported that Jacques is a member of an internet child sex ring. He is currently in jail and his bail has been set at $250,000.
Vermont State Police made the following introduction to the press conference this afternoon.
STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
PRESS CONFERENCEUPDATE ON MISSING BROOKE
BENNETT
Date of Press Conference: June 30, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Statement of Colonel James Baker, Director of the Vermont State Police:
Good Afternoon. Thank you all for coming. For those of you
that don’t already know me, I’m Colonel James Baker, Director of the Vermont
State Police.
I would first like to start out by thanking the media and the
public for their patience and understanding throughout this investigation. We have reached out to you several times for assistance, and each time you’ve pulled through for us and have assisted in any way possible. The level of professionalism that you all have displayed is a true testament to yourself and the news organizations you represent. For that, I am grateful. It is clear that the goals of the media and the public are that of the Vermont State Police and the law enforcement partners working this investigation to find Brooke Bennett.
This case remains very active, and I can say, as a result of the tireless effort and hard work of the investigators, the scope of this investigation has narrowed and we are making progress. We have eliminated several scenarios that were potential possibilities in the disappearance of Brooke. Behavioral Scientists from the FBI have played and continue to play a major role in this elimination process.
On Sunday, the investigation discovered that Michael Jacques of Randolph, Vermont sexually assaulted a minor, who was being interviewed as a result of the Brooke Bennett investigation. The State Police called in detectives of the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations, which includes a Vermont State Trooper assigned to the unit, to investigate the sexual assault. Investigators are looking into the possibility there may be more victims of sexual abuse by Jacques. The State Police would like to speak with any child or teenager who may have had contact with Michael Jacques.
The focus of today’s investigation is to search the Jacques’ property in Randolph, Vermont. The Connecticut State Police and the Massachusetts State Police brought in assets to assist in the search, to include a helicopter and K-9 Units. Forensic work
is continuing to be done and analyzed. We continue to search for evidence that may help explain Brooke’s disappearance. The preliminary forensic testing shows that articles found on VT Rt. 65 are connected to Brooke Bennett.
Late Saturday into early Sunday morning, information was developed as a result of forensic examination of computers that helped us change the direction of the investigation. As a result of that, Michael Jacques became a person of interest into the disappearance of Brooke. This is not the only avenue we continue to pursue and we continue to explore other investigative leads. With that said, I will re-confirm my statement from before that this case is about social networking on the internet.
The Vermont State Police are exhausting all of our resources to help locate Brooke Bennett. It is critical that the public continues to have faith in the State Police, and the protection that we provide the citizens of the State of Vermont. We ask that you remain cautious, not fearful, as again, we are making progress in the investigation into the disappearance of Brooke Bennett.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the support from the greater Randolph, Bethel community for providing food, refreshments and other logistical support for the investigators. The Whitcomb High School graciously opened their doors to us to make these press conferences possible. On behalf of the Vermont State Police, I thank you all.
I would also like to thank the assistance of the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County State’s Attorney Wil Porter, the Connecticut State Police, the Massachusetts State Police, the Burlington Police Department, the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) team for their continued assistance in this investigation.
I will now open it up for questions. Again, please raise you hand and state your name and who you represent in an attempt to be fair to all that have attended.
Brooke has shoulder length brown hair with purple highlights and blue eyes. She is 5'3" tall and weighs 98 lbs. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, a pink sweater and white sneakers with pink lettering. Brooke's ears are pierced on top and bottom. She has a freckle in the front of her neck and a bug bite above her left eyebrow.
If anyone has any information about Brooke please call Vermont State Police at (802) 234-9933.
Media Links: Fox News, Times Argus, Rutland Herald
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