A Washington County man accused of repeatedly raping a child pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Washington County Court.

Nickalas Connor, 32, is accused of repeatedly raping a child under the age of 13. Police tell us Connor was familiar with the child.

That’s the state’s most serious sex charge and each count carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

State Police said that Connor barricaded himself in his house at about 8:15 a.m. in the town of Jackson when investigators from the Cambridge-Greenwich Police Department arrived to arrest him. He refused to cooperate for about two hours, which prompted a large police response and closure of Route 22.

Connor eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. Police located a dead dog on the property, which was apparently shot.

Connor was charged with two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child and aggravated cruelty to animals. After his plea, he was sent to the Washington County Correctional Facility without bail.  

Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan praised the response of New York State Police based in Greenwich and said “protecting young people will always be a priority” for his office.