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Stillwater mayor, father of congressional candidate charged with child porn

Ricky Nelson (Photo provided — New York State Police)

STILLWATER — The mayor of this Saratoga County village was arrested today on child pornography charges.

Ricky W. Nelson, 62, was charged with one felony count each of promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child.

He is the father of Patrick Nelson, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, in the 21st Congressional District.

Ricky Nelson was taken into custody by investigators with state police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The investigation began after members of the state police Computer Crimes Unit became aware that an IP address located in Stillwater had downloaded photographs depicting child pornography, according to a news release.

Police obtained a search warrant and arrested Ricky Nelson at his home.

Authorities say there is no indication that village equipment was used to view pornography.

Ricky Nelson was arraigned in the Saratoga Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond. He is due back in Stillwater Town Court on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Contacted this afternoon, Patrick Nelson said he is “personally still processing the situation” and will still participate in a candidate forum at SUNY Adirondack in Queensbury this evening.

“These allegation come as a shock to all of us,” said Patrick Nelson. “We [Patrick Nelson and his campaign team] don’t have any additional information at the time that is not available to the public, and our campaign is continuing to focus on the issues affecting the people of the North Country.”

[Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country — the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh — are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.]

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