The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Local News

March 6, 2008

Ex-public defender to get jail in molestation

BEDFORD — The former Bedford County public defender pleaded guilty Thursday to 24 charges in two criminal complaints that he molested a young girl and downloaded child pornography from a county-owned computer.

Bradley Bingaman, 32, now of the Philadelphia area, pleaded guilty to one count each of rape of a child and attempted rape of a child and 22 counts of possession of child porn.

A plea bargain hammered out between Bedford County District Attorney William Higgins and defense attorney Shawn Cohen includes a sentence of 14 to 28 years in a state prison.

Bingaman will be sentenced June 2 following a pre-sentencing investigation and an evaluation by the state sexual offender assessment board to determine whether he is a sexually violent predator.

Bingaman defended indigent criminals in the county for three years until his abrupt resignation a year ago. He initially was charged with more than 300 counts of molestation and later with more than 400 counts of possession of pornography.

Higgins said the 22 counts of child porn reflect the number of times Bingaman downloaded photos.

After the hearing in front of Judge Thomas Ling, Bingaman, who has been free on bail since his April arrest, was taken to the Bedford County Jail.

Higgins said the victim, now 13, and her mother were told of the guilty plea and agreed to the terms. The mother was in the courtroom Thursday; the victim was not present.

The plea bargain guarantees significant incarceration for Bingaman and allows the girl to avoid the trauma of testifying, Higgins said.

“The defendant acknowledged what he did was wrong,” Higgins said. “We think it’s a fair and appropriate resolution consistent with other defendants in similar cases.”

The molestation started when the girl was 7 and ended when she was 11.

The crimes occurred at homes in Schellsburg and Bedford Township.

Bingaman downloaded the pornography at various times between 2003 and last year.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
Poll

Should the speed limit on sections of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and related highways be raised to 70 mph from 65 mph.

Yes.
No.
I don't care because I never travel on those tolled roadways.
     View Results
AP Video
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
House Ads
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com