Nashua police photo James Ciampa, 67, of 225 Harris Road, Nashua

NASHUA – James Ciampa, the 69-year-old Nashua man whose March trial on possession of child pornography charges ended in a mistrial after he was rushed to the hospital, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors on the eve of his second trial, his attorney said Thursday.

Attorney Roger “Rusty” Chadwick, who said his client spent several weeks in the hospital this spring after being found unconscious in his home, agreed this week to enter a guilty plea to one felony count of possession of obscene matter, in exchange for a prison sentence that could range anywhere from two to five years.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 12 in Hillsborough County Superior Court-South.

The agreement was reached under the so-called capped plea provision, which means the prosecutor and the defense attorney recommend to the judge a term that falls within that range, then present arguments in support of their respective recommendations.

The judge, after reviewing the sides’ arguments, makes the final decision on the length and other terms of the sentence.

Ciampa, who Chadwick said continues to receive medical treatment and counseling, was arrested in mid-April 2016, and was later indicted on 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse images.

He went to trial in March on 10 of the charges, after prosecutors agreed to drop the other 10 counts.

The first day of trial took place as scheduled, but Ciampa, who has been free on bail since shortly after his arrest, didn’t show up in court the next morning.

Police were contacted, and Chadwick, who Judge Jacalyn Colburn granted permission to go to Ciampa’s home to check on him, met police at the house.

Once medical personnel stabilized Ciampa and transported him to the hospital, Chadwick returned to court and filed a motion for a mistrial, which Colburn granted.

Jury selection for Ciampa’s second trial was about to start when Chadwick and prosecutors reached the plea deal.

The agreement includes provisions that prohibit Ciampa from having any unsupervised contact with minors. The terms also require him to continue counseling, and he must register with the state’s Sex Offender Registry.

Chadwick called the plea agreement “a fair resolution,” adding, “I think it fits the case.”

He indicated he will argue to “keep (Ciampa) out” of jail or prison, based largely on “his mental and physical health, his condition, and his age,” Chadwick added.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DeanS.

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