AUBURN — A former supervisor for the town of Mentz will go to prison after admitting in Cayuga County Court to sending a sexual video to a child.
Richard Nielens Jr., 65, was sentenced Thursday to two years in state prison followed by 10 years of post-release supervision for first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors (a Class D felony).
The sentence was announced by Judge Thomas Leone, and satisfied a charge of endangering the welfare of a child (a misdemeanor).Â
±·¾±±ð±ô±ð²Ô²õÌýpleaded guilty to the charges in late May and admitted to sending a video depicting sexual conduct to a child younger than 16 in December 2023. He was arrested later that month.
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While in court Thursday, Nielens expressed regret for his actions.
"I'm very remorseful for what I had done and I accept my responsibility," he said.
Nielens was a Mentz Town Board member for 12 years before he became supervisor. He was the supervisor from 2016 to 2021, and lost elections in 2021 and 2023.
Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.