Posted on 05/08/2008 3:07:51 PM PDT by SmithL
SAN FRANCISCO -- Bernie Ward, a prominent radio talk show host and reporter in the Bay Area for more than two decades, admitted today to distributing child pornography in a plea deal that will send him to federal prison for at least five years.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker was prepared to accept Ward's guilty plea at a hearing in San Francisco to one count of distributing child pornography, but agreed to hold off at the request of Ward's attorney, Doron Weinberg. Had the guilty plea been officially submitted today, Ward could have been sent to prison immediately.
Instead, Ward is to be sentenced Aug. 28. Weinberg said federal prosecutors intend to ask Walker to send the former talk show host to prison for nine years. Under federal law, the minimum term Ward could receive is five years.
As part of the plea agreement, two other child pornography counts against Ward will be dropped.
Ward, 57, has admitted that he downloaded and sent pornographic images of children on the Internet in 2004, but said he had been doing research for a book. Federal law, however, prohibits receipt, possession and distribution of child pornography regardless of intent.
A former Roman Catholic priest, Ward was known for his outspoken liberal views on a weeknight talk show . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Do you recall which station?
The federal child-pornography charges filed against former radio talk show host Bernie Ward came about after he engaged in sex chats with an online dominatrix and allegedly sent her pictures of children engaged in sexual activity, according to a police report released Friday.
The woman, who lives in Oakdale (Stanislaus County), became concerned after Ward allegedly sent her pictures in December 2004 showing children “engaged in or simulating sexual acts with adults or other children,” Oakdale police Officer Benjamin Savage wrote in a report.
The woman told police that she knew the man as Vincent and that he said he was a divorced priest from Manteca (San Joaquin County).
Vincent discussed engaging in group sex at a San Mateo porn theater and wrote at one point, “I love trading pictures,” the police report said.
I think WRKO. He was on many many years ago, however.
I still remember him because he was such a jerk.
"I engaged in exchanging an image of a minor engaging in sexually explicit activity in December 2004 via the Internet or computer," he said in court on Thursday.
As Ward entered the court he was greeted with hugs from priests in brown robes. He was released following the plea.
Ward also admitted that he used the same e-mail account to distribute 15 to 150 images of child pornography to other individuals.
These images involved prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, some with sadistic, masochistic or violent conduct.
Child molesters are considered the lowest form of prison life but I don’t know about child pornographers are treated. In any case it will be a rough time, as it should be....
Ward, a former Catholic priest who is married and has four children, previously hosted a 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. show Monday through Friday and a Sunday morning show called God Talk on KGO.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. Weinberg said he expects Ward to be in prison for at least four years.
Ward, 57, told the judge during the hearing that he was aware that the pornography he sent contained sexually explicit pictures of minors.
More solid proof that liberalism is a dangerous mental disorder and that liberals have destroyed a once great and decent Christian culture. May Ward’s hell be hideous and eternal.
This sicko Ward needs to do jail time where the inmates can fulfill their sexual fantasies on Ward.
Hoping they water board him using a constant yellow stream. The sick fat pig will likely enjoy it until the inmates deliver the true justice that the feckless, liberal, godless courts in San Fransissy failed to.
God save this sick nation and restore in us a clean heart and mind.
What a disgusting bilious bag of pus.
I guess he could always go back to being a catholic priest after he gets out of prison.
With most crimes I have some feeling for the probable motivation. I can understand killing someone in anger, robbery for money, etc. However, I have no comprehension of lust for prepubescent kids. I really do not get it.
WRKO has had some interesting hosts during its life.
Karma Sucks!
The left claims the law is overly broad and caught him on a technicality.
If I remember correctly he is the one who literally “wrote” the Bolan (sp?) amendment while working for the Dems in congress in the 80’s. Thats the unconstitutional tying of the hands of the executive (Reagan) in South America that got Ollie North in trouble.
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