Former Stillwater Mayor Rick Nelson walked into town court Wednesday silently to face child porn charges. 

During the court appearance, the Stillwater town judge recused himself because of a potential conflict of interest. Nelson is currently out on bail, but the judge kept it set at $25,000 cash.

"I feel bad for the residents of Stillwater," said Tracy Minor, a Stillwater resident who attended the hearing.

Nelson resigned last week after he was arrested by state police. On Thursday, troopers say they seized his laptop that contained child porn. He was charged with promoting and possession a sexual performance by a child.

"I've been waiting 30 years ... for somebody to get him, because a leopard doesn't change their spot," said Barbara Newill, a former Stillwater school bus driver who worked with Nelson.

She claims she turned him in when he was accused of kissing a 5-year-old on his school bus in 1982. According to the Albany Times Union, that was one of five incidents in which Nelson was accused of victimizing children or teenagers. However, he was never convicted.

"I hope to see him pay the price for what he's done," Newill said.

Nelson's defense attorney declined to comment following the court hearing. The case will now be assigned to another court. Nelson is due back in court October 4.