Riverhead High School ROTC instructor arrested on child pornography charge
Cops confiscate two computers from his apartment
23 comments below
James Finch, 48, of Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead pleaded not guilty to possession of child pornography during his arraignment Friday in Town Justice Court.
Suffolk Police Detective Frank Giardina said the retired U.S. Navy officer had numerous photos of children under 16 "engaging in sexual acts or exposing their genitals in a lewd manner."
The Colorado native, wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt that read "Lucky Dog," was led in handcuffs from Riverhead Police headquarters about 10 a.m. Friday to Town Justice Court, where he was ordered to be held on $10,000 bail.
Mr. Finch's court-appointed attorney, Steven DeVito, had asked for Mr. Finch to be either released on his own recognizance or to have his bail reduced to $1,000, citing his 24 years in the Navy, an honorable discharge and a clean record.
Assistant district attorney Brendan McGill had recommended the assistant Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps instructor be held on $10,000, noting Mr. Finch had only lived in Riverhead for two years, and "if convicted, his life as he knows it changes substantially."
Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Diane Scricca said she could not make specific comments on Mr. Finch, who retired from the Navy as a chief gunner's mate.
"We are working to support our children in the school," she said. "We have put together a crisis team to help our children through this very difficult time."
Assistant Superintendent Nancy Carney added later that Mr. Finch had been banned from school grounds.
Mr. Finch was hired in June 2007 and is in his second year with the district.
"There was a piece of me that wasn't surprised," said Riverhead High School senior Emil Breitenbach, 18, a former ROTC student. "You knew something was not quite right."
Mr. Breitenbach, who joined the NJROTC program as a freshman and stepped down after his junior year, described Mr. Finch as somewhat aloof around the kids.
He also said Mr. Finch didn't seem like much of a teacher, noting that he did not believe "Chief Finch" had any prior teaching experience.
At the time of Mr. Finch's hiring, parents and students had complained that students in the NJROTC program were unable to attend many of the field trips and drills they normally did because the program had only one instructor. The previous assistant instructor retired due to an injury.
The parents and students had urged the Riverhead school board for months to hire an assistant, but board members said it was difficult to find someone to fill the position.
Mr. Breitenbach's mother, Diane, said the arrest alone will deliver a blow to the program, as once again students will not be able to attend the all-important out-of-state trips.
"Travel is virtually impossible with only one instructor," she said. "What a shame. It's a good program. They do wonderful things but this is a real blemish I think."
Mr. Finch is divorced and has two children in New England, one of his neighbors said.
"This is a shock," said the neighbor, adding that she spoke with Mr. Finch often since he moved to the complex about a year ago.
She said Mr. Finch wore his Navy uniform often and would help shovel his neighbors' walks after snowfalls.
"He was such a nice guy," she said.
tgannon@timesreview.com
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23 comments found
Yeo : 12/11/2009
Well I had him as ateacher I never thought this could happen I say fuk it well I really never had a good vibe from him well what's done is done but my concern is think bout our children and wat there went throught
Bad law : 10/29/2009
It shouldn't be against the law to LOOK at something. That leaves only the uncurious (and unintelligent) to run society. Now if he had taken any pictures, sold them, traded them, etc.. that would be an act and a whole nuther story. But this article seems to be describing an Orwellian "though-crime". Also to tell the truth, with the Internet the test now is almost like saying .. "walk down this hallway and if you turn your head to look at any of the pictures on the wall, you will be locked up for ten years".
whats done is done : 10/20/2009
BOth sides suck even though the teacher was a nice guy.. he still shouldn't have And for every one saying he's sick.... people get 2nd chances and you have two in a point of your life
Riverhead High School ROTC instructor arrested on child pornography charge : 6/7/2009
Well im a student at the Riverhead High School, i didnt know the man but i passed him a couple of times in school, he said hi or hello. eventhough he was lookin at child pornography on the school computer, that is SICK. i think anyone like that should be locked up. Its very funny how everyone say you can trust the teacher.... are you KIDDING me. well thats all i have to say about this. and for you people who say hes a good man i feel SORRY for your children, and i feel SORRY for you.
and you think his is the only one : 5/21/2009
please parents, board memebers, and anyone who cares,,,,,,,,,,he is not the only one infiltrating our school system with vulgar, and gross misconduct towards or with children......in my day any elder set and example and was never looked at twice or questioned.......nowadays teachers are younger and children are bolder which stems into a more equal basis in the thought process of teaching and authority,,,,,,,,,,,,,it has to end................parents need to open their eyes,,,,,,,,,teachers need to uphold to their leadership ways and children need to learn that that easier is not always better,,,,,,,,and if you do wrong then you have to deal with the consequences....................
No Tolerance : 5/21/2009
ALL educators, and anyone who has taken an oath to serve & protect our community, ESPECIALLY our children, someone who has taken an oath to set a moral example, ought to be immediately FIRED and imprisoned for this kind of crime. There is NO EXCUSE. There is no difference between on and off the field. I don't care if this guy was Mr. Rogers ("aw, he was so nice"). THIS IS SICK BEHAVIOR. NO TOLERANCE. On a side note, this is a good opportunity for ALL OF US to tackle the current crisis of child pornography. If you partake in this incredibly evil and pervasive activity, no matter how "upstanding" or "successful" you are in your outside life, you are AN ABUSER b/c you are fueling an industry that is abusing literally children (and worse) in horrific ways. If you are doing this, I truly hope you rot in hell. Otherwise STOP now, get some help, and help kids in your community. GOD help us all.
oh my : 5/10/2009
first riverhead has a DWI with the principle now we have a teacher who watches child pornography
Finch : 5/8/2009
I've never heard of a foot fetish endangering a childs innocence &OBVIOUSLY he wouldn't bring this side of him to work! no ones going to walk into their job and expose their secrets to everyone especially something like this .. which just shows that you NEVER know everything about ANYONE!
: 5/7/2009
How unfortunate I was unable to contact you to remove the "questionable" material that infiltrated my computer. The professional computer tech who removed this from my computer (from a highly regarded company) told me it happens when I repeatedly questioned him on trying to find out as I am the only one who uses this computer. In fact, he gave me several examples of how they can infiltrate or attach to innocent websites to get in. I also was told someone out in cyberspace was trying to hack into my computer. I deliberately purchased additional firewall/virus/etc., protection after this to help assure this doesn't happen again. So please...I do not question your intelligence, do not question mine. I also will not bore anyone further with any more responses regarding negative remarks on this. And by the way, I have been a legal advocate for children so first and foremost that is where my priorities lie.
I can't believe this. : 5/5/2009
I can only hope that the people making excuses for this do not have children. People with these pictures on their computers belong in jail, very simple. They are perverts.
Ignorance is not an option : 5/5/2009
He had "...numerous photos of children under 16 “engaging in sexual acts or exposing their genitals in a lewd manner...” This means he did more than look - he actually had to have taken the time to download the photos onto his computer. I don't care whether he is a "good guy" or not - he shouldn't be teaching in a SCHOOL if this is what he's into. Period. And his having been in the militiary certainly shouldn't be used an a character reference or excuse in this case - if anything, he should be held to a HIGHER STANDARD!!! Educators can no longer claim ignorance over something like this - they should all know better by now. Someone stated "...there have been times some has gotten "through" into/on my computer even leaving an icon on my desktop..." Pornographic icons and links do not suddenly and magically appear on desktops unless you or someone else with access to the computer is downloading something from a questionable website. Get real people.
Spare us of your ignorance! : 5/5/2009
The images found were of "children under 16 engaging in sexual acts..." These were IMAGES that were on his computer - which means he did more than look - he actually took the time to download them onto his computer. Regardless of what a "good guy" he may be, he shouldn't be working in a SCHOOL around our CHILDREN. Do you expect this behavior to be excused simply because he's served in the military and because he's a good guy and his students like him? If anything, he should be held to a HIGHER STANDARD! As educators you should know what's appropriate and what's not. Let's not use ignorance as an excuse for stupidity (i.e. "There have been times some has gotten "through" into/on my computer even leaving an icon on my desktop"). Oh please - I've been using computers for years and have never had any pornographic icons/links just innocently and randomly appear on my desktop. Wake up people.
Chief Finch Is a GOOD Man... : 5/3/2009
Chief was always a good man and still is. He was a very good teacher as well. Just becaus he made a mistake does not make him a horrible person nor does it mean we should think less of him. People have fedishes. It isn't their fault. What's next? Arresting a person for having a "Foot Fedish?"
: 5/3/2009
I do not know this person but after reading this I tried to find out online what constitutes pornography. (Although I was concerned that just looking for the answer on my computer could be trouble? illegal? some could sneak back into my computer, etc.) Very quickly I saw that it doesn't take much. There have been times some has gotten "through" into/on my computer even leaving an icon on my desktop. I had to get a technician to remove it as I couldn't. Still don't know how it got in, etc. It was embarrassing enough to have to ask someone to remove it, let alone try to find out how it got there in the first place. I now wonder, what if the computer police had shown up at my door at that time? How would I have been able to prove my innocence? Especially when I tried to remove it on my own which only took me to more sites. On top of this I started to wonder about what is shown, said on many television programs, radio, newspapers. Doesn't a lot of that seem pornographic? Very discouraging when we truly want decent, responsible entertainment. So, until more facts, not conjecture is available, it would be prudent not to paint this man with a broad brush. We weren't there...and in the mean time for those of you who know him....appreciate the positive things he has brought into your life. He will be judged but let it be in the courts and not on the street.
leave the guy alone : 5/3/2009
I have known this man for two years, spent time on trips with the unit with him. he was not interested in hurting anyone. Pedophilia is a mental disorder that physiologists do not know the cause off. Some believe it is from abuse as a child. For all I know he was a good man, and he made a mistake disorder he cannot help. As far as a 4th year member of the unit and two years with Chief Finch as a teacher, I ask you cut him a break, he re-entered the civilian sector and immediately went in to help students as an instructor and as far as I am concerned he helped the unit by forcing us to get our act to gather with fund raising and in Cadet run areas of the unit. His work was a great asset to our unit and I believe that he helped us reach the point where we can take the Area 4 championship and succeed at Nationals next year. From these other posts I can see other Cadets share the same beliefs. As an ending idea we need the media and communities support at this point. For instance we are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Wednesday May 6th at the Riverhead Moose Lodge from 5-8pm. Please if you could come and support the Unit.
: 5/2/2009
yea it wouldnt have mattered what he did at home if he wasnt a TEACHER looking at CHILD PORN. its gross and really gives a bad rep that go to riverhead high students. first the principal gets a dwi, now this. Its time to grow up as much as your students RHS staff...
Article / school/ Board : 5/2/2009
It should have been addressed imedately when the news was exposed. I believe that if he was being investigated the school should have been notified earlier by law enforcement. This stuff just doesn't happen just like that, to enter someones home there was an investigation.. We are a team in the community trying to protect and serve. The school should have been notified of the investigation prior to the news breaking and ultimately because law enforcement knew his position with the school. All of that should have been discussed between board and administartors as to best way to approach situation of notifying staff/ students/ parents. Counseling should have been set up for discussion if needed. Some of this takes time and they didn't want a leak to ruin police investigation. In the defense of the school, and Board. When hiring there are required backround checks through state and federal systems. They hire according to references, interviews, backround checks, and written prior records available (such as scolls, jobs, courts etc.) If none of theese behaviors were exposed prior, or reported prior they have no knowledge about this part of his life. Just like that student responded that they thought he was a good guy and never were exposed to anything else. It is a shame also that with all this modern technology that individuals have access and young girls who desire to disrespect themselves can do this at the click of a mouse. It is wonderful technology but at times I see where students have acquired a laziness about themselves due to everything being located at their fingertips. Saves time but they've lost the experience of actually doing all the footwork needed to achieve not only the education knowledge but the knowledge that nothing comes without a price. The footwork is what boost your self esteem at the end of a task. That confidence that you now have earned with yourself within you, that feeling of "I can do it and did it." Society lacks that feeling along with mmany others. Most children I hear believe that society owes them something, they deserve it, or lack the persistance to complete the task at hand. Jumping around and on the other side of the conversation, as an individual that have been employed in the mental health system for years, there is a real problem here. This type of individual is very frequently seen in todays society due to the exposure of the crime. These crimes have been comitted for centuries but not exposed. I was brought up in the hush , hush society. You never spoke of what went on at home. I came from a very wonderful on with wonderful parents and assumed for years that all my friends came from the same type of home. Once I was on my own I soon realized that my childhood was actually very unlike the norms of most of my friends. Many were in a situation of abuse of some sort and it was initiated by there own parents, siblings, extended family member or neighbor. The fear of not being believed or ridiculed keep these situations silent. In our society today these issues are exposed without the victim being ridiculed. I now can expose the gratitude and love I have for my parents for my wonderful nuturing childhood. That has been what has allowed me to to work in the field and maintain a great understanding. This Gentlemen needs to know there is consequences for his actions, but there needs to be intervention as to his past and why he feels a need to be attracted at his age to children. I do agree that it should have been announced by the school but I would also understand the shock and the need to have support in place before exposing such information.
Chief : 5/1/2009
He was a great man and a good teacher too. He was always caring of the kids and he looks out for us just as Col. does. He never looked at me wierd or said anything inappropriate so I never got the vibe that this would happen. I'm more dissapointed and I feel betrayed more than anything else. He taught me a lot and I liked Chief. I dont think we will ever get to see him again and thats a shame because I would have enjoyed learning more from him over the years. He was silly and he made the NJROTC class fun. He was very serious about his work but he always made an effort to make sure everybody was in order. It is a shame this event has occured and I hope this passes over soon.
: 5/1/2009
I was a student of Cheif Finch, he was a nice guy, and was never inappropriate in school. What he did at home, never conflicted with what he did at his job. And i dont believe that he had or will ever hurt anybody.
damage control : 5/1/2009
Good job RCSD. Newsday had the story up @ 8am News Review @ 9am It's now close to 1pm, and still no press release on school's web site. Way to go!
wow : 5/1/2009
ithink this is so terrible dealing with a teacher i go to riverhead high and i see this person everyday it doesnt look like he would do anything like this but then again i dont have him as teacher so i wouldnt really know .
happens all over : 5/1/2009
This is happening all over the country. Go to www.schoolteachernews.com and click on the Scandal page. This year they have documented over 190 of these types of incidents. In 2008 they found 478 of these kinds of cases.
: 5/1/2009
This is sickeniingg!
