<a href="mailto:avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com">By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG</a>
PLATTSBURGH — The last time Matthew Boire admitted taking collections from a local museum he got probation, but this time he’s facing a possible stint in prison.
In a second round of criminal allegations connected to items stolen from the Clinton County Historical Association, the 26-year-old Plattsburgh man appeared in Clinton County Court Thursday morning and pleaded guilty to another charge.
Boire has been on probation and performing community service since earlier this year, when he admitted to stealing several museum items, some of which he later sold on eBay.
But at the time, he failed to disclose that he also possessed a $3,000 Civil War uniform that belonged to the museum, an omission that Plattsburgh City Police officials uncovered through an e-mail tip during a subsequent investigation.
Since the missing coat was not included in the previous criminal case, it landed Boire an additional charge of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
He was arraigned Thursday before Judge Kevin Ryan and pleaded guilty to a reduced felony charge of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
“I did have that in my possession,” Boire admitted during his brief court appearance.
Part of the negotiated plea required Boire to pay $3,000 in restitution for the coat, which has never been recovered.
Boire, a former museum board member, had previously said he was attempting to sell museum collections to help the Historical Association financially, though he never had permission to do so and never turned over any of the money he made from the online sales.
Officials from the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office said they will recommend that Boire serve one to three years in prison, though the final sentence will be at the discretion of the court and could land him behind bars for up to four years.
Boire will remain free on bail until his Oct. 6 sentencing appearance.
E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:
avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com
