Brooke Bennett's stepfather arrested

Brooke Bennett's stepfather has been arrested in connection with the sexual assault of another child, authorities announced Tuesday. Bennet disappeared Wednesday, after visiting a convenience store in Randolph, Vermont.

The arrest of Ray Gagnon is "a byproduct" of the search for 12-year-old Brooke Bennett, said Col. James Baker, director of Vermont State Police. Baker would not provide details of the charges, but state police said they stem from an assault on another child in the summer of 2007.

In addition, federal agents are preparing to charge Gagnon, 40, of San Antonio, Texas, with obstruction of justice over the destruction of evidence "related to this investigation," FBI Special Agent John Pikus said. Gagnon "has family members in his area and he has been in Vermont on a regular basis," Baker said.

Gagnon is Bennett's stepfather, said Sgt. Tara Thomas, a Vermont state police spokeswoman. He is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in a federal court in Burlington.