Ex-CNN producer reaches plea deal in child sexual abuse case in Vermont

Ex-CNN producer John Griffin has reached a plea cope with federal prosecutors on youngster sexual abuse prices in Vermont.

Griffin, 45, pleaded responsible in U.S. District Courtroom in Burlington to one of many three prices introduced in opposition to him of “utilizing a facility of interstate commerce to aim to steer, induce, entice or coerce a minor to interact in illegal sexual exercise,” in keeping with courtroom filings.

“John Griffin agrees to plead responsible as a result of he’s, in truth, responsible of the above crime,” says the 13-page plea settlement filed Monday.

The 2 remaining prices have been dismissed as a part of the plea deal.

A sentencing listening to is ready for March. As a part of a plea deal, the decide may impose a penalty of not lower than 10 years and as much as the rest of his life, the submitting said.

Decide William Okay. Periods III ordered the federal probation workplace to conduct a pre-sentencing investigation previous to the listening to in March. 

Griffin, previously of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded not responsible in December 2021 to a few prices of utilizing a pc and social media platform to aim to entice minors to interact in illegal sexual exercise. He has been held in custody since that listening to, awaiting trial. 

In response to charging paperwork, Griffin was accused of luring a mom and her 9-year-old daughter from Nevada in July 2020, paying greater than $3,000 for his or her journey to a house he had in Ludlow, the place he compelled the woman into illegal sexual acts. 

He additionally was accused of unsuccessfully making an attempt to lure different mother and father on-line to return to Vermont with their daughters, in keeping with the indictment. Griffin, a veteran CNN producer, was fired from his job with the cable information community after his arrest.

As a part of the plea deal, Griffin can be required to register as a intercourse offender if launched and he agreed to forfeit to the federal authorities his share of proceeds on the sale of the Ludlow residence, in addition to Tesla and Mercedes-Benz automobiles. 

Neither David Kirby, Griffin’s lawyer, nor Assistant U.S. Legal professional Michael Drescher, the prosecutor, couldn’t be reached after the listening to for remark.