RUTLAND (VT)
ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO]
August 18, 2026
By Dale Chamberlain
A Vermont church elder and child evangelist has been charged with distribution of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Andrew Buzzell had been serving as an elder at Green Mountain Baptist Church in Rutland and as state director for Child Evangelism Fellowship of Vermont.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Buzzell has been removed from all leadership roles at Mountain Baptist Church, and his membership with the church has been revoked.
According the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, Buzzell, 34, was arrested after an investigation revealed that he allegedly “distributed materials containing child pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), through a free instant messaging mobile application.”
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Authorities said that the investigation was triggered by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a user called “kinkyvt1231” having “shared four files to other users via private chat messaging on the messaging platform, including one .mp4 video file categorized as apparent child pornography.”
The IP address and email associated with the account were linked to Buzzell.
Buzzell also corresponded online with an undercover FBI agent and allegedly “solicited photos of the supposed nine-year-old girl who was available for sex and made various statements…discussing the specifics of a desired sexual encounter.”
Buzzell has been released from custody to home confinement. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
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Child Evangelism Fellowship describes itself as “a Bible-centered, interdenominational, worldwide organization, composed of born-again believers whose purpose and mission are to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The organization’s website currently makes no mention of Buzzell, but numerous pictures of Buzzell are still featured on the organization’s Instagram page, where Buzzell can be seen visiting multiple churches, including some images where Buzzell can be seen spending time with children.
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Vermont for comment and will update this article in the event of a response.
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In a statement, Green Mountain Baptist Church said that on the evening of Aug. 7, leadership of the church “was informed by federal law enforcement of the arrest of Andrew Buzzell on charges of a sexual nature. We immediately convened an emergency business meeting of our congregation on Saturday, August 8.”
“At that meeting, the preliminary details regarding the charges and his incarceration were shared with the congregation,” the church said. “By unanimous vote, Andrew Buzzell was immediately terminated from all leadership roles and removed from church membership.”
“Green Mountain Baptist Church takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness. We are deeply grieved by these allegations and are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation,” the statement read.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife and family and to anyone who may have been harmed,” Green Mountain Baptist Church added. “We desire complete justice, as well as comfort and healing for all impacted individuals.”
The church urged anyone with any relevant information regarding Buzzell’s case to contact the FBI.
Stephen Burch, who serves as lead pastor of Green Mountain Baptist Church, expressed shock about Buzzell’s alleged actions in comments to Vermont Public. Burch said that he had known Buzzell for more than a decade and that Buzzell had spent time with Burch’s own children.
“It now makes me question everything,” Burch said of Buzzell’s arrest. Burch emphasized his desire for Green Mountain Baptist Church to take necessary steps to address the harm that Buzzell has allegedly caused.
“I’ve seen this kind of stuff happen in churches, and a lot of times it’s covered up,” Burch said. “I want us to be transparent.”
“It’s like someone’s ripped my heart out the last couple of days,” Burch said. “I absolutely am sickened by this whole thing.”
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Buzzell is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 31.