Springfield 22-Year-Old Pleads Not Guilty in Newport to Multiple Sexual Assault Counts

Skyler Eley, 22, of Springfield, Vermont, entered a not-guilty plea Feb. 18 in Sullivan Superior Court in Newport to multiple counts stemming from allegations that a female juvenile was sexually assaulted. The Sullivan County Grand Jury indicted Eley Jan. 28 on three counts of felonious sexual assault, one count of using a computer for prohibited use, and one count of possessing digital pornography depicting a juvenile.

The investigation began after Newport police received a November report alleging a sexual assault of a female juvenile by an adult male. Warrants signed by New Hampshire Superior Court Judge Lawrence Macleod on Nov. 13 led to Eley’s arrest after he finished a work shift; he was taken to the Newport Police Department for questioning, according to court filings. The affidavit referenced in the case says that investigators seized the juvenile’s phone and found an explicit image and what the affidavit described as "concerning communications."

During questioning at the Newport Police Department, the affidavit says Eley admitted to having sex with the juvenile in Springfield and to taking nude photographs of her. Newport investigators concluded the allegations showed a pattern of sexual abuse that crossed into Vermont, prompting Springfield Police to investigate and leading to a separate Vermont charge. In Windsor County Superior Court on Nov. 26, Eley pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault in Vermont and was released on conditions that bar him from contacting the juvenile victim and from contact with females under 18 except for supervised contact with female family members.

The alleged victim told police she and Eley had dated for "around six weeks" and confirmed "sexual things" occurred in Springfield and Newport, language quoted directly in the affidavit filed with the Newport-area court. The Jan. 28 indictment in Sullivan County reflects the New Hampshire prosecution's effort to pursue multiple counts, including the computer-related and digital pornography allegations tied to the seized phone.

Public reaction has been robust on social media surrounding the case filing in Newport; one social post capturing the report drew 98 reactions, 79 comments and 43 shares. Commenters included one who wrote, "She lied to him about her age Ive met the guy and he's actually really nice he told me all about it people really should wait till they know the full story," reflecting the local debate visible in comment threads.

The charges in New Hampshire remain pending following the Feb. 18 arraignment in Sullivan Superior Court in Newport. The case file includes the Jan. 28 indictment and the affidavit supporting the Nov. 13 warrants; further court scheduling and filings will be reflected on the Newport courthouse docket as the matter proceeds.