After a brief police chase, a McSherrystown man accused of sex crimes involving a child took his own life inside his vehicle. The suspect, James L. Kopp, was out on bail for previous charges when local police officers received reports of a child abduction in progress. After the pursuit was over, officers found the young child in the car with Kopp unharmed. 

Sex crimes, especially those involving minor children, bring harsh punishments that can impact the rest of your life. If you are being charged with sex crimes in Pennsylvania, the stakes have never been higher. The LLF Law Firm can craft a strong defense that promotes your interests and helps protect you from the worst of a sexual crime charge. Call our Criminal Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through our online form to get started on your defense. 

The Suspect's Pending Criminal Charges 

This was not Kopp's first interaction with the police. In early March of 2024, Kopp was charged with over ten serious felonies in Adams County. Many were sex crimes, including statutory sexual assault, indecent assault of a child, corruption of a minor, and child pornography. These charges led to a hefty $500,000 bail, which he posted through a bail bondsman.  

A Brief Timeline of Events 

On the morning of March 20th, McSherrystown police officers were dispatched to the scene of a reported child abduction in progress. The abduction involved a firearm, and both a “Be On The Lookout” alert and an Amber Alert were sent to surrounding police officers and residents, respectively. 

Soon after, a Conewago police officer found Kopp's vehicle and initiated a pursuit. After a brief two-minute chase, the vehicle veered off the road and came to a stop in a field.  

Sitting in his disabled vehicle less than five miles from the abduction site, Kopp would end his life with a firearm before police could take him into custody. Kopp did not injure the child in his car, and the car chase did not result in any other injuries. 

Sex Crimes Against Children 

Kopp was potentially looking at decades in jail if found guilty of all his crimes. In Pennsylvania, many charges carry more severe penalties if the victim is a child. In society, sex crimes also tend to have collateral consequences that make it harder for those convicted to live a normal life after they serve their sentence. 

Defending Against Sex Crimes in Pennsylvania 

Everyone has the right to hire a lawyer and defend themselves against accusations of sex crimes, even if society at large has an immediate negative opinion of those accused. Serious charges might seem like the end of the world, but you have options for defense. 

Contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team by phone at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form today. Our goal is to help you emerge from the legal process in the best possible position.