Man admits to criminal sex act

JOHNSTOWN - A 67-year-old Gloversville man who police said offered alcohol, cigarettes and money to minors in exchange for sex acts pleaded guilty Wednesday in Fulton County Court to a violent felony count.

Erling M. Grubbs, of 20 Littauer Place, pleaded guilty before Judge Polly A. Hoye to one count of first-degree criminal sexual act.

Sentencing was adjourned until a later date, but he is expected to receive five years in state prison, 15 years of post-release supervision and classification as a state-registered sex offender.

Grubbs was arrested Sept. 3 by Gloversville police on charges that he offered alcohol, cigarettes and money to minors in exchange for sex acts, according to police.

Police said he had two girls, 11 and 12 years old, at his residence. He is accused of showing the children pornographic movies and offering them money, cigarettes and alcohol for sexual favors, police said. He also engaged in oral sex with the children, police said. The offenses occurred over a two-month period in the summer of 2008, according to the police report.

Grubbs was initially charged with predatory sexual assault against a child and criminal sexual act.

Former substitute

headed to prison

In another case Wednesday before Hoye, Todd J. Mraz, 37, of 13 W. 11th Ave., Gloversville, received three years in state prison as part of a plea arrangement.

He pleaded guilty Sept. 18 to one felony count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

A three-month investigation by police led to the March 5 arrest of Mraz, at the time an area substitute teacher who police said was selling cocaine from his residence. He was initially charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

He was indicted June 4 by a county grand jury.

Police said Mraz possessed $6,000 to $8,000 worth of cocaine. Police confiscated $1,200 in cash, about 3 ounces of cocaine and a pickup truck used during prior drug sales, officials said.

Mraz was a substitute for the Amsterdam, Johnstown, Fonda-Fultonville and Fort Plain school districts and the Board of Cooperative Educational Services. He was a substitute teacher for the Gloversville Enlarged School District five years ago.