Former Boy Scout leader pleads guilty to sex abuse

A former Boy Scout leader pleaded guilty in Vernon Superior Court on Friday to repeatedly raping a boy at a Bolton Scout camp over the course of six years, as well as sexually assaulting two other children.

James W. Harris III, 39, formerly of Tolland, pleaded guilty Friday to reduced charges of two counts of first-degree sexual assault, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, and one count of third-degree sexual assault.

Harris, who was living with his parents in Manchester at the time of his arrest, initially faced three counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, and a number of other charges. His lawyer, John O’Brien, reached a plea agreement with Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Leaming for the lesser charges...