Fanelli to be Sentenced Wednesday; No Jail Time Requested

Former Mount Pleasant Police Chief Brian Fanelli, who pleaded guilty in July 2015 to downloading and possessing child pornography, is due to be sentenced Jan. 6 -- and his lawyer doesn’t want him put in prison.

Fanelli, 55, of Mahopac, told investigating federal agents when he was arrested in January, 2014 that his personal collection of child porn originated from researching material for sexual abuse school classes that he was teaching, a 10-page “United States of America v. Brian Fanelli” complaint detailed.

What started out as research soon turned into a recreational habit in which Fanelli used the material for “personal interest,” according to the complaint.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.

But his attorney, Michael Burke wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in December stating that Fanelli had been receiving intensive counseling which prison time would interrupt, according to The Journal News.

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