Eric Chant
MAYVILLE – The Jamestown man who was arrested for his involvement in a kidnapping and sexual assault of a 12 year old will not face life in prison. Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley says 23 year old Eric Chant will receive 25-years behind bars after taking a plea deal for first degree rape. He was facing 25 year to life after being indicted on five felony charges.
In August 2011, Chant abducted a 12-year-old Jamestown girl from her home and – with use of a stolen Dodge Caravan – drove her to a deserted road in the town of Poland and assault her. She eventually escaped and found help at a nearby residence. The van was later abandoned in the Chadakoin River in an area of Jamestown. Chant was arrested on unrelated charges days after the incident took place.
According to a published report, Chant was offered the plea partially because a Jamestown Police officer had been accused of potentially tampering with evidence in other cases. Foley said the officer in question was served as an evidence custodian with the Jamestown Police Department and is accused of misappropriating evidence from the evidence room. The D.A.’s office was unable to connect the officer to the chant evidence, but it still created a problem for the prosecution. The accused officer has been placed on administrative leave
Foley, along with Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings will hold a joint press conference today at 1 p.m. in the fourth floor conference room at Jamestown City Hall to further discuss the ongoing investigation of the Jamestown Police Detective who has been placed on administrative leave.
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