Update from WRGB Albany
Update:More Details in Former Weapons Inspector's Arrest
More details are emerging on the arrest of former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter. The Delmar resident was arrested by Colonie police in June of 2001 on a misdemeanor charge. And Channel 6 News has learned that Ritter had been issued a warning after being caught by police once before.
Colonie police will not confirm any of this, but Channel 6 News learned that Ritter was caught in a sex sting early in 2001. He was issued a warning then, but eventually arrested for the same thing three months later. Ritter, who has made national headlines for speaking out against going to war with Iraq is keeping silent on this issue. He has been unavailable for comment since details of his arrest were made public.
In June of 2001, Ritter was accused of engaging in a sexual discussion, on the Internet with a person who he thought, was a 14 year old girl. It was actually an undercover investigator who agreed to meet with Ritter. When Ritter arrived at the location, expecting to meet the girl, police warned him that he had been set up.
Three months later Ritter allegedly fell into the same trap, only this time he was arrested. The misdemeanor charge relating to child endangerment was eventually disposed of and sealed. Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Preiser has since lost her job over the incident. Albany County DA Paul Clyne fired Preiser on Friday because he says she never informed him that the case against Ritter even existed. Prieser would not comment and Ritter has also been unavailable for comment.
The case against Ritter was eventually sealed, preventing everyone from disclosing details about the case. In fact, Ritter can deny it ever happened since sealed cases essentially mean, it never happened.
CNN tells Channel 6 News, Ritter is on his way to Baghdad, but will be in New York City tomorrow to shoot an anti war message.