EBENSBURG — A Johnstown man was sentenced Friday to 20 to 40 years in state prison for repeatedly sexually abusing a boy and trying to molest a girl.
John Conaghen, 46, of the 300 block of Daniel Street, was determined by Judge David Tulowitzki to be a sexually violent predator likely to re-offend.
Under the state Megan’s law, Conaghen will be required to register his address with the state police for the rest of his life after he is released from prison.
Conaghen asked for time to report to the county prison, but the judge denied that request after Assistant District Attorney Kelly Callihan expressed concern that the defendant might be a flight risk.
Conaghen was taken to the county prison by sheriff’s deputies to begin serving his sentence until he is transferred to a state facility.
Under a plea bargain, Conaghen pleaded guilty to involuntary sexual intercourse in incidents involving the 10-year-old boy, who was a family friend.
Johnstown Juvenile Officer Julie Wag-ner alleged that several incidents occurred prior to and during June 2007.
In the other case, Conaghen pleaded guilty to corrupting the morals of a 10-year-old girl in the fall of 2003.
Wagner alleged that the defendant had pulled down the girl’s underpants, but the girl had fought him off.
Callihan said after the sentencing, “Even though the victims have some relief knowing the judge imposed such a severe sentence, they’ll live with the memory of what was done to them forever.”
Defense attorney Jerome Kaharick tried unsuccessfully to challenge the predator finding by the judge.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Conaghen File Photo
Discussion
‘Predator’ faces 20 to 40 years
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
