MedicCook
09-21-2006, 02:58 PM
Officer admits to sending lewd photos
QUEENSBURY * The New York City police officer who e-mailed nude pictures of himself to a 16-year-old Queensbury girl was sentenced to 3 months in jail on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge.
The sentence imposed on James M. Coppola came after his defense in the case was raised for the first time. His lawyer, William Montgomery, told Warren County Judge John Hall that Coppola thought he was sending the pictures to the 16-year-old's older sister, who was 19.
Montgomery said Coppola had been exchanging sex-themed messages with the 19-year-old that day.
"He responded, not realizing it (the pictures) went to the 16-year-old," Montgomery said.
Despite that defense, Coppola, 32, of Port Jefferson Station (on Long Island), pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree disseminating indecent material to minors.
Hall imposed the 3-month jail term, as well as 5 years on probation, after hearing victims impact statements from the 16-year-old and her mother read by county crime victims specialist Manon Affinito.
The 16-year-old told how she met Coppola in an online chatroom focusing on helping people maintain sobriety. She told Hall she had been sexually abused as a child and had had drug and psychological problems in the ensuing years, problems that have returned after Coppola's crime.
The teen was scared Coppola would come looking for her after he was arrested, prompting her to get permission to carry pepper spray while attending school.
"As a victim, I have no freedom because of this incident," Affinito read from her statement.
Coppola was arrested March 21, nine days after he sent the pictures to the girl.
Warren County First Assistant District Attorney Jason Carusone asked Hall to impose a 6-month jail term, pointing to the "age discrepancy and power discrepancy" between the victim and defendant.
"This is a case where there truly is a victim and it has had quite an effect on her," he said.
Montgomery, though, called the matter a "mistake" and said Coppola intended to help the teen, not hurt her.
He pointed out that Coppola cooperated with police all through the State Police investigation, and said Coppola would lose his job as a police officer as a result of the guilty plea.
His wife standing at his side, Coppola apologized for what he called "the biggest mistake of my life."
"I just hope the victim can get back on the right track and work out her problems," he said.
The charge was punishable by up to 4 years in state prison.
Coppola was initially suspended from his duties after his arrest, but had been working on "restricted duty," in recent months, said New York Police Department Detective Madelyne Galindo. Those convicted of felonies can't work as police officers and can't possess guns without special court approval.
Coppola will also have to register as a sex offender.
Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland said Coppola will be segregated from the jail's general population because of his police officer status. Jails often separate inmates who might be targeted by other inmates.
http://www.poststar.com/articles/2006/09/21/news/doc4512b006f0d92020679063.txt
QUEENSBURY * The New York City police officer who e-mailed nude pictures of himself to a 16-year-old Queensbury girl was sentenced to 3 months in jail on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge.
The sentence imposed on James M. Coppola came after his defense in the case was raised for the first time. His lawyer, William Montgomery, told Warren County Judge John Hall that Coppola thought he was sending the pictures to the 16-year-old's older sister, who was 19.
Montgomery said Coppola had been exchanging sex-themed messages with the 19-year-old that day.
"He responded, not realizing it (the pictures) went to the 16-year-old," Montgomery said.
Despite that defense, Coppola, 32, of Port Jefferson Station (on Long Island), pleaded guilty to a felony charge of second-degree disseminating indecent material to minors.
Hall imposed the 3-month jail term, as well as 5 years on probation, after hearing victims impact statements from the 16-year-old and her mother read by county crime victims specialist Manon Affinito.
The 16-year-old told how she met Coppola in an online chatroom focusing on helping people maintain sobriety. She told Hall she had been sexually abused as a child and had had drug and psychological problems in the ensuing years, problems that have returned after Coppola's crime.
The teen was scared Coppola would come looking for her after he was arrested, prompting her to get permission to carry pepper spray while attending school.
"As a victim, I have no freedom because of this incident," Affinito read from her statement.
Coppola was arrested March 21, nine days after he sent the pictures to the girl.
Warren County First Assistant District Attorney Jason Carusone asked Hall to impose a 6-month jail term, pointing to the "age discrepancy and power discrepancy" between the victim and defendant.
"This is a case where there truly is a victim and it has had quite an effect on her," he said.
Montgomery, though, called the matter a "mistake" and said Coppola intended to help the teen, not hurt her.
He pointed out that Coppola cooperated with police all through the State Police investigation, and said Coppola would lose his job as a police officer as a result of the guilty plea.
His wife standing at his side, Coppola apologized for what he called "the biggest mistake of my life."
"I just hope the victim can get back on the right track and work out her problems," he said.
The charge was punishable by up to 4 years in state prison.
Coppola was initially suspended from his duties after his arrest, but had been working on "restricted duty," in recent months, said New York Police Department Detective Madelyne Galindo. Those convicted of felonies can't work as police officers and can't possess guns without special court approval.
Coppola will also have to register as a sex offender.
Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland said Coppola will be segregated from the jail's general population because of his police officer status. Jails often separate inmates who might be targeted by other inmates.
http://www.poststar.com/articles/2006/09/21/news/doc4512b006f0d92020679063.txt