TICONDEROGA — The Ticonderoga businessman who admitted having sex with a 15-year-old girl has been arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection issued for her.

James T. Gilbert, 34, of 84 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, was arrested Friday just after 5 p.m. for misdemeanor second-degree criminal contempt.

Ticonderoga Town Police said he violated a written order of protection issued for the girl, who is now 16, by attending a presentation at Ticonderoga Middle School at which she was present.

The arrest came just four days before Gilbert is due in court to be sentenced for felony third-degree criminal sexual act, misdemeanor third-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child, all involving the same girl.

Gilbert is free on his own recognizance until sentencing this morning in Essex County Court at Elizabethtown. When he pleaded guilty in February, he admitted having oral sex with the victim and placing his hands on her vagina.

The teenager had been placed in the care of Gilbert and his wife, who have since separated, by a private agency.

At the time of his arrest, Gilbert was president of the Essex County Industrial Development Agency, but resigned soon afterward. He operates the Evolve Business Center, a computer sales and service business, in Ticonderoga.

On the criminal contempt charge, Gilbert was issued an appearance ticket for Ticonderoga Town Justice Court at noon May 7.

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at:

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com