WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Former Stepfather Implicated in Disappearance

More twists today in the case of missing 12-year-old Brooke Bennett. Her former stepfather is now implicated in her disappearance.

Ray Gagnon, 40, of Texas is in federal custody in Vermont. The FBI said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that Gagnon is charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly destroying evidence in the case.

"The FBI is in the process of bringing Mr Gagnon over to the federal side on charges of obstruction of justice, related to the obstruction of evidence to this investigation. And that's I can say at this point," said FBI Special Agent John Fikus.

Gagnon is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Wednesday in Burlington.

Earlier today, Vermont State Police said Gagnon sexually assaulted a minor in Randolph last summer, but he has not been charged in that case. Police are not saying who the victim was, but will say that it was not Brooke.

Police were led to Gagnon during their investigation of Brooke's uncle, Michael Jacques. He was charged yesterday with participating in a child sex ring called Breckenridge and victimizing a child for several years. The ring allegedly involved other men and possibly other victims, but police will not say if Gagnon was a member of the Breckenridge ring.

WCAX News

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