FONDA-A Palatine Bridge man was sentenced in Montgomery County Court on Monday to a four-year term in state prison for possessing child pornography, the Office of Montgomery County District Attorney James "Jed" Conboy said.
Robert Evens, 47, of 93 E. Grant St., pleaded guilty June 11 to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced Monday to serve a four-year term, followed by 15 years of post release supervision.
During the investigation, authorities said an acquaintance of Evens told them Jan. 18 that he saw what he believed to be child pornography on Evens' cellphone. The case was turned over to the Investigations Division and Evens was arrested. Montgomery County sheriff's office investigators found Evens was in possession of "numerous images" of child pornography, deputies said.
According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Evens has previously been charged with the first-degree rape of an 11-year-old girl in June 1996. He is currently listed as a Level 2 sex offender.
In other court action:
*Peggy Compton, 44, of 24 Hancock St., Fort Plain, was sentenced to five years of probation, 150 hours of community service, and ordered to pay the county $4,783 in restitution for taking welfare benefits for which she was not eligible.
Compton pleaded guilty June 22 to third-degree fraud. She took benefits exceeding $4,000 between March 2011 and August 2011. She also is not able to receive any social services for the next six months.
County welfare fraud investigators said she submitted false information on her temporary assistance and food stamp applications.
*Richard Burke, 53, of 6310 Route 10, Canajoharie, pleaded guilty Friday to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Burke was arrested in March after a five-month investigation by Montgomery County sheriff's deputies showed he was selling hydrocodone pills, authorities said.
His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1.