Vermont School for Girls staffer pleads guilty to multiple sexual assaults on minor student

BENNINGTON — A former staff member at the VPI Vermont School for Girls in Bennington — initially charged with 12 felony counts including repeated sexual assaults of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and obstruction of justice after a years-long sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student under his authority — was sentenced to 3 to 20 years behind bars after pleading guilty to five of the counts.

Elvis Mata-Capellan, 45, of Bennington, pleaded guilty to four felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in his trust at the Bennington Courthouse on Tuesday at a change of plea hearing. He also pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice for sending emails to the victim as a way to persuade her not to cooperate with investigating authorities. In exchange for the guilty p