Community Corner

East Street Man Held in Child Porn Case

A judge has ordered a Southington man be held in lieu of $500,000; additional charges could be pending.

A Bristol Superior Court judge has ordered a Southington man held in lieu of a $500,000 bond after he allegedly held possession of a videotape showing a minor in explicit sexual acts.

Erik Gothberg, 45, of 1309 East St., was arraigned in Bristol Superior Court Monday afternoon on one charge of third-degree possession of child pornography. He remains in custody, according to court records.

Gothberg was arraigned Monday afternoon, court officials said, just hours after he was released from Hartford Hospital after receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the foot.

He as injured early Saturday when state police said he reached towards his waistband after officers told him to freeze outside the AMC Theater on New Britain Avenue in Plainville.

Plainville officers Clifford J. Roper and David Slater were injured in the shooting, with a stray bullet hitting Roper's forearm and broken glass cutting Slater.

State police said their investigation is ongoing and Gothberg could face additional charges in the incident. State police took over the investigation after Plainville police fired shots, as is required under state statutes.

Southington police have not released further details of the case but did say that the child in the video was known to Gothberg. The arrest warrant has been sealed under court order to protect the minor, court officials said.

Gothberg is due back in Bristol Superior Court on Thursday and could present a plea at that time.


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