NEWPORT — A Newport jury convicted a 46-year former Claremont man on charges of possessing child pornography on Friday, the Sullivan County Attorney said in a news release.

Raphael Santana was convicted of 15 counts of possession of child sex abuse image following a three-day jury trial in Sullivan County Superior Court stemming from an investigation that found thousands of sexually explicit images saved on his cellphone, according to the police affidavit in support of his June, 2020, arrest and charges.

After a contested bail hearing in which prosecutors sought to detain Santana pending sentencing, the court ordered Santana remain free on personal recognizance until his formal sentencing date, the Sullivan County Attorney’s office said.

Santana’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Sullivan County Superior Court.

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