By Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First
A Montreal-area man, wanted in Illinois for five pornography and sex charges, has been caught by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol trying to enter the United States in Essex County, according to Vermont State Police.
David Zouzout, 40, of Cote-Saint-Luc, Quebec attempted to cross at the Port of Entry in Canaan about 3:45 p.m. Sunday, but federal officials determined there was an out-of-state arrest warrant for him for five felony charges, state police said.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol called State Police and turned over the wanted man, Trooper James Gallup said. The Edwardsville, Ill. Police confirmed that it would seek Zozout’s extradition, police said.
The arrest warrant from Illinois is for three counts of soliciting child pornography, one count of soliciting a sexual act from a minor, and one count of grooming a minor, Gallup said.
His arraignment in Vermont Superior Court in Guildhall on a charge of being a fugitive from justice was delayed until Tuesday due to courts being closed for Bennington Battle Day, a state holiday.
Essex County State’s Attorney Vince Illuzzi, reached at his office on the holiday, said he expects to file the extradition petition on Tuesday.
Illuzzi, who consulted with state police on the case on Sunday evening, said Zouzout has been wanted since December 2025 on the five charges involving a pre-teen girl.
Zouzout was lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport on a charge of being a fugitive from justice.
A Vermont judge set bail at $50,000.