Monday, January 25, 2010

Former Officer Nathan VanFleet Charged with Rape of Child

A 31-year-old former Hunter police officer will face a jury trial in Coxsackie court on Feb. 9, answering to accusations of sexual misconduct with an underage female.

Nathan VanFleet, of Durham, was charged in Dec. 2008 with third-degree rape and third-degree criminal sex act, both felonies, as well as endangering the welfare of a child and official misconduct, both misdemeanors.

VanFleet, whose case is being prosecuted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, has since had his charges reduced to two counts of sexual misconduct, a class A misdemeanor.

The original charges, filed by the New York State Police with the assistance of the Greene County District Attorney’s Office, were the result of an investigation into reports that VanFleet was engaged in an unlawful relationship with an underage female. It has been alleged that the sexual incidents occurred while he was on duty as a police officer, as well as off duty.

Town of Hunter Police Chief Jennifer Reich assisted state police in the investigation.

The case will be heard before Coxsackie Town Justice Thomas J. Fori.

Jury selection is scheduled to being on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m.

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