NORWICH – On September 26, an alleged child rapist was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office in Norwich.

James R. Clapper, 61, of Norwich was charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, an A felony; first degree rape, a B felony; first degree incest, a B felony; first degree sexual abuse, a D felony; and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Detective’s Division arrested Clapper after an investigation into a sex abuse complaint. Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting reported that at the conclusion of the investigation, it was found that Clapper had sexual intercourse with a juvenile female victim.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the New York State Police Major Crimes division. He was arraigned in court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility with no bail pending an appearance in Chenango County Court.

All crimes described are allegations, and suspects named are innocent of the charges until proven guilty in a court of law.

- Information from the CCSO