Detectives are investigating whether accused sex offender Donald Shepherd abused other children in Vermont or other states and if in fact he is who he says he is.
Shepherd told investigators that he travels the country working as a nanny, and he has worked in children's camps.
"The fact that he was actively seeking young children is what's most disturbing about this," said Vermont State Police Detective Ben Katz.
Shepherd told officers he uses several aliases including: Parker Wilder, Donald Shepherd, Douglas Shepherd and Jonathan Shepherd. There could be other aliases. Police are running Shepherd's fingerprints through a national database to confirm his identity.
Several online vigilantes have been tracking Shepherd's Internet activities since 2006. One Web site claims Shepherd used the screen name "emovocals" and is a member of several Web sites for pedophiles. The Web site also warns that Shepherd works as a nanny, advertising his services online.
Information about Shepherd is also listed on a Web site called "wikisposure."
"The information contained within this Wiki project is made available for the purpose of informing the internet community, creating awareness for parents, and deterring individuals such as the people profiled in this Wiki," reads the Web site's main page.
The site lists information about Shepherd's aliases as well as pictures of him.
Shepherd sought work in places where he'd have access to children, according to investigators. He applied for a job as a substitute teacher in South Hero's Folsom School. Shepherd was placed on a list of subs. But Shepherd was never called, according to the school superintendent. Shepherd had to pass a background check for the job.
"There's was no Vermont record, no out-of-state record, no FBI record," said Superintendent Richard Taylor of the Grand Isle Supervisory Union.
Detectives seized a computer and electronics from Shepherd. Investigators with the state's computer crime unit will review the evidence and Shepherd's online history.
Police are also looking into the possibility Shepherd may have other victims around the country.
"Because it's an active investigation, I can't say how many other victims there are, but we're definitely looking for them," Katz said.
