Crime & Safety
Former Undersheriff Pleads Not Guilty To Child Porn Charge
James Blass, 82, was also a town justice and police chief.
COPAKE, NY — A former undersheriff for Columbia County pleaded not guilty Tuesday to possessing child pornography.
James Blass, 82, of Copake, waived his right to a grand jury and entered the not-guilty plea, the Times Union reported.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of four years in prison and will be placed on the sex offender registration list.
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Blass was arrested March 14 after an investigation by the state police in conjunction with the Columbia County District Attorney's Office found he was in possession of child pornography.
He was charged with possession of a sexual performance by a child, a felony.
Find out what's happening in Mid Hudson Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Blass served for more than 30 years with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office and retired in 1997, Hudson Valley 360 reported.
He also was a Copake town justice and police chief.
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