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Somers Child Sex Case Adjourned, Again

SOMERS, N.Y. – The Danbury, Conn., man charged with having sex with a 15-year-old boy appeared in Somers town court Monday night with his lawyer to, again, adjourn the case to allow for more negotiations.

Paul Hines, 73, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, a felony.

Paul Hines, 73, is charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, a felony.

Photo Credit: New York State Police

Paul Hines, 73, showed up to court with friends who he said drove him. His lawyer, Andrew Proto, said they want more time to negotiate with the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case on how the case will proceed. He would not specify what those negotiations involve.

He did say the case will remain in Somers Town Court for now.  It will remain there until either Hines is indicted or the defense decides to offer a plea.

Proto, of White Plains-based Rielbing, Proto & Sachs, asked the court Monday to execute a document that will give them that time. Judge Denis Timone granted the request and adjourned the case until May 5.

It is not clear whether Hines will have to appear in court on May 5.

The Danbury resident and organic chemistry professor at Western Connecticut State University is accused of having sex with the teen at the boy's Somers home after they met on the Internet, police said. Hines said the boy had claimed to be 19, according to state police.

The boy’s parents learned of the incident and reported it to police in mid-October.

Hines was arrested Oct. 28 in White Plains, where he had set up another encounter with an adult male he met on the Internet who was actually a Somers investigator, according to published reports.

Hines was charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. He was released on $50,000 bond.

In addition to teaching, Hines was also the chief health professions adviser at WestConn, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also helped to found the Dorothy Day Hospitality House, which provides food and shelter for the homeless in Danbury.

His wife, Ann Hines, started the Hanohoe Children's Clinic, which provides free health care to children without health insurance, in Danbury. 

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