Former Frederick police corporal’s sentencing on child pornography charges moved to November
James C. Dodson Jr., a former 18-year Frederick Police Department veteran, pleaded guilty in Pennsylvania to two felony child pornography-related charges and is now scheduled for sentencing Nov. 19.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
James C. Dodson Jr. pleaded guilty in May. The guilty pleas cover one count of child pornography and one count of criminal solicitation of child pornography. Both are third-degree felonies. Two other charges were withdrawn. Sentencing is now scheduled for Nov. 19. The delay was requested by the defense. Dodson previously served 18 years with Frederick Police. He resigned in August 2025.
The sentencing of a former Frederick Police Department corporal who pleaded guilty to child pornography-related charges in Pennsylvania has been postponed again.
James C. Dodson Jr., 39, was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday in Adams County Court of Common Pleas in Gettysburg.
A court staff member told The Frederick News-Post that the hearing has now been moved to Nov. 19 at the request of the defense.
Dodson pleaded guilty in May to one count of child pornography and one count of criminal solicitation of child pornography, both third-degree felonies.
A second solicitation count and a charge of criminal use of a communication facility were withdrawn.
The November date is not the first delay.
Dodson was originally expected to be sentenced in August. That hearing was later moved after his attorney requested additional time to review an assessment recommending that he be classified as a sexually violent predator.
That classification recommendation remains part of the sentencing process; the source material does not establish that the court has made a final ruling on it.
Former Frederick police officer
Dodson served with the Frederick Police Department for 18 years before resigning in August 2025.
According to Pennsylvania court documents cited by The Frederick News-Post, Dodson told state police that he had visited a website containing sexually explicit videos involving children, including artificially generated material.
Investigators also reported finding explicit images and communications in which Dodson solicited child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated content.
Police seized a department-issued phone while searching Dodson’s home.
Court documents indicate investigators concluded that the phone had been used to solicit sexual material involving a minor.
Suspension and resignation
The Frederick Police Department initially suspended Dodson with pay in August 2024 after another department employee raised allegations.
He was later suspended without pay following the filing of criminal charges in Pennsylvania in June 2025.
Dodson resigned from the department two months later.
Because Dodson has pleaded guilty, the remaining proceeding centers on sentencing and related determinations rather than whether those two admitted offenses occurred.
WHAT IT MEANS
The criminal case has moved beyond the guilt phase on the two charges to which Dodson pleaded guilty.
The next major step is the sentencing hearing, where the court will determine punishment and address any outstanding classification issues.
What Happens Next
Dodson is scheduled to return to Adams County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 19 for sentencing.
The source material does not establish the sentence he may receive, and no final sexually violent predator classification has been reported.
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