PlusUncle Could Face Death in Missing Girl CaseUncle Could Face Death in Missing Girl CaseThe Associated PressFederal prosecutors have filed kidnapping charges that carry the death penalty against a Vermont man whose 12-year-old niece was found dead near his home. (July 3)Federal prosecutors say Michael (jakes) Jacques could face the death penalty if he's convicted of kidnapping his 12-year-old niece Brooke Bennett. Her body was found Wednesday a mile from Jacques home.(SOT: THOMAS ANDERSON/US ATTORNEY)(10:07:15) TODAY IS A TRAGIC DAY FOR VERMONT. OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE BENNETT FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE OF RANDOLPH, VERMONT.Bennett disappeared a week before her body was found in a shallow grave. Surveillance video from a convenience store shows her and Jacques leaving and going different directions. Court papers say Jacques, a convicted sex offender, carefully orchestrated events and emails to make it look like Brooke had gone to see someone she met online.(SOT: WILLIAM SORRELL/VT ATTORNEY GENERAL)(10:10;43) I THINK WE NEED TO LEARN FROM THIS TRAGEDY AND WE NEED TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN. BOTH ONLINE AND AT HOME AND WE WILL DO SO. Jacques had been in custody on charges of aggravated sexual assault against a different underaged girl. According to court filings, that 14-year-old girl told investigators she had been part of a sex ring and had been having sex with Jacques since she was nine years old.Vermont's attorney general says investigators aren't sure if a sex ring really exists.(SOT: SORRELL)(10:12:45) THERE'S NOTHING FROM THIS INVESTIGATION THAT'S BEEN TURNED UP NOR OTHERWISE OUR FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES AWARE OF ANY ONGOING EFFORTS TO RECRUITS YOUNG GIRLS OR BOYS HERE IN VERMONT TO HAVE SEX WITH ADULTS. Jacques is scheduled to appear in federal court next week. An autopsy was set to be performed on Bennett Thursday. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: missing girl uncle face death case Added: July 3, 2008
