Sullivan Man Found Guilty Of Sex Crimes, Child Porn

A Sullivan man was found guilty July 6 of sexually assaulting a minor and possessing child pornography.

James N. Gilmore, 46, was convicted of second-degree statutory rape, second-degree statutory sodomy and possession of child pornography.

The jury returned the maximum sentences allowable.

Prosecutors praised the work by Sullivan Police and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

“This was a good example of agencies working together to get a dangerous person put away,” said Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker. “The work done by Sullivan Police Detective Ralph Finn, now retired from SPD, Sullivan Police Sgt. William Rowden, Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Walk and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Bryan Mathews was outstanding.”

The jury deliberated for five hours Thursday before returning to the courtroom and reporting to Judge Hellmann that they found Gilmore guilty on all three counts. 

The jury then deliberated an hour on the sentencing recommendation for Judge Hellman of two seven year terms and one 15 year term for a possible total of 29 years in prison.

Judge Hellmann is expected to rule on the sentencing for Gilmore on Sept. 5. He can sentence him to concurrent or consecutive terms in prison.

The incidents in which Gilmore was found guilty occurred at a residence in the 300 block of Maple Street between January 1, 2018 and June 2018 with a female victim under the age of 17.

At the time of his arrest, Gilmore admitted to the incidents and when arrested, was found hiding in a closet of the home on Maple Street.

The case was first reported by the Sullivan Independent News on July 31, 2019.

Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker reported that the back log in cases within the court system from the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to move forward.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome in this case and again, a great job by all the agencies involved,” said Becker.