Larger text
Smaller text
Judge rejects plea bargain in child porn case
Daily Photo Galleries
By Mary Pickels
Published: Saturday, October 13, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated: Saturday, October 13, 2012
A Fayette County judge on Friday rejected a proposed plea bargain for a Connellsville man charged with possession of child pornography.
In July, Justin Porterfield, 22, of 123 W. Apple St., Apt. 4, entered guilty pleas to dissemination and possession of child pornography.
In exchange for the guilty plea, District Attorney Jack Heneks agreed to drop the dissemination charge and recommended a jail sentence of three months to a year, followed by five years of probation.
“The (DA) has, for some inexplicable reason, offered a plea which falls below all guideline ranges,” Judge John F. Wagner said.
Defense attorney Donna McClelland asked to withdraw the plea, meaning both charges will go forward for trial.
State police in Delaware County discovered three images of child pornography on Porterfield's computer during an online search on March 12, 2010. District Attorney Jack Heneks said about 37 videos depicting child pornography had been deleted, but investigators were able to retrieve them.
During a hearing, Porterfield admitted having the images on his computer.
McClelland said at that time that Porterfield was using a file-sharing program that allowed others to access the images from his computer after he downloaded them.
Lt. David Peifer, supervisor of the Delaware County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, testified during an earlier hearing that he was working with a Delaware County grand jury that was investigating child pornography when he discovered the images on Porterfield's computer.
Porterfield remains free on $10,000 bond.
Mary Pickels is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com.
Most-Read Fayette
- Scottdale Business and Professional Women’s Club to have ‘Nite Out’
- 1 killed, 2 hurt in Bullskin crash
- Fayette County man dies in 4-vehicle crash
- C&O Canal Towpath Trail ‘judged’ as great recreation
- Hearing continued for party stabbing suspect from North Union
- Commissioners OK using Fayette funds to start work for new jail
- Dunbar library wants children to ‘dig’ reading for summer fun June to August
- Connellsville up for fix-up money
- Ohiopyle State Park blazed trail for Great Allegheny Passage
- Cumberland / D.C. trail began as a freight canal
- Everson council working on new garbage contract
You must be signed in to add comments
To comment, click the Sign in or sign up at the very top of this page.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.
