SHERIDAN - A 77-year-old Fredonia man faces sex charges following several alleged incidents with a 4-year-old female.
Arnold D. Blakely of 1 Temple Square, Apt. 1G, Fredonia, faces four counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of endangering the welfare of a child Tuesday at 9 a.m.
On Oct. 15, both the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and the Fredonia Police Department received separate reports of an alleged sexual abuse of a 4-year-old child both in the town of Sheridan and the village of Fredonia. A joint investigation was started between the agencies with the assistance of Chautauqua County Child Protective Services, the District Attorney's Office and the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County. The investigation determined the alleged abuse took place during the evening hours on King Road in the town of Sheridan between July and August of this year.
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Arnold D. Blakely
Blakely and his counsel met investigators and an assistant district attorney at Town of Sheridan Court where he was arraigned by Justice Lydia Romer on the charges. Blakely posted a bail bond in the sum of $20,000 cash/$40,000 property.
"Except for certain levels of felonies, people are entitled to have bail established," Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley said. "There is a presumption of innocence ... people are entitled to have bail established. It is typical for us to make bail recommendations."
Ultimately, Foley said, the local court sets the bail amount and takes into consideration any risks pertaining to the defendant.
"Bail and setting bail and these sort of pre-grand jury, pre-trial things are designed to ensure attendance in court," he said. "The courts will also take into consideration the risk factors that they pose to the general public."
Because bail was posted there will be no need to hold a preliminary hearing, according to Foley.
"We would look at scheduling a court grand jury presentation. If he were indicted we could revisit the bail at that point because the risk of flight may be increased after a grand jury indicts."