Stillwater mayor resigns after arrest on child porn charges

PHOTOGRAPHER: Photo Provided

Rick Nelson.

Stillwater Village Mayor Rick Nelson, who had served for two years, has resigned following his arrest on child pornography charges, the village announced on its website Saturday.

The posting indicated Nelson submitted his resignation Friday following his arraignment in Saratoga Town Court the previous day. Nelson was sent to the Saratoga County Jail on $50,000 bond following his arraignment, where he posted $25,000 and was released.

Stillwater board of trustees will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Sept. 5, according to a statement on the village’s website. The statement notes the board will be going into executive session “for legal consultation on a personnel matter.” Further details of the scheduled session could not be obtained Saturday.

A statement on the village’s website said Deputy Mayor Frank Tatum will take over duties. Tatum did not return a message seeking comment Saturday left on his mobile phone. Other village officials could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Nelson, 62, faces one felony count each of promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, state police said.

Nelson is scheduled to return to Stillwater Town Court at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Police said that an investigation began after state troopers in the Computer Crimes Unit learned that an IP address in Stillwater had been used to download child pornography. A search warrant was executed Thursday morning at Nelson’s home, resulting in his being arrested, interviewed and processed at the Saratoga state police barracks, troopers said. A state police spokesman said the investigation is continuing.

A statement released Thursday by the village said officials are focused on serving residents despite Nelson’s arrest.

“This has been an incredibly difficult day for the Village of Stillwater and we’re certainly going to be facing some challenging times ahead,” said Tatum as part of the statement. “But we are a very dedicated group and I am confident that we will get past this. In the meantime, we have an important job to do and the village and its residents are still our No. 1 priority.”