A member of the West Genesee School District Board of Education has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to have sexual contact with a 12-year-old girl.
James Soper also pleaded not guilty in the town of Aurelius Court to attempting to send nude photos. Troopers say Soper lives in the town of Onondaga, but the charges against him are connected to an address in Cayuga County. Soper's attorney Michael Vavonese asked the judge for more time to review the charges, and the judge agreed, ordering a new appearance date for Soper at the end of January.
Meanwhile, the West Genesee School Board has voted to accept Soper's resignation. He had served on the board for four years.