St. Johnsbury man who inappropriately touched a 9-year-old girl in Concord has pleaded guilty

A St. Johnsbury man who inappropriately touched a 9-year-old girl in Concord has pleaded guilty to his charges. Thomas McGinnis IV, 62, pleaded guilty to a plea agreement that includes felony charges of sexual assault on a victim under 18, sexual exploitation of a minor, and lewd and lascivious conduct. The sentencing of McGinnis has not happened yet, but he will be sent to prison for 2-15 years and will have to pay $147 in court surcharges. McGinnis will also be ordered to complete a program for sex offenders and sexual abusers and sign up with the sex offender registry. His first two charges – sexual assault on a victim under 18 and sexual exploitation of a minor – are 10-year deferred sentences. That means if McGinnis abides by all his probation conditions for 10 years, the first two charges will be dropped. The felony lewd & lascivious charge will remain on his record. McGinnis must also not have any contact with the 9-year-old girl, not purchase pornography, and not access places where children congregate, including parks, playgrounds, and schools. Before reaching an agreement with defense attorney Joe Benning and Essex County State’s Attorney Vince Illuzzi, McGinnis could have been sentenced to life in prison and $40,000 in fines.