An Allegheny County judge reluctantly accepted a plea agreement Monday that calls for no jail time for a Brackenridge man accused of sexually touching a 9-year-old boy and having naked photos of the boy and a 17-year-old girl he’d previously assaulted.
John Patrick Godfrey, 43, pleaded guilty to two counts of corruption of minors — while 16 other charges were withdrawn —in exchange for probation.
Common Pleas Judge Bruce Beemer set the probation to run for 10 years, noting that the term was intentionally lengthy given the circumstances of the case.
“If it weren’t for what I think are the best interests of the children, I’d be telling you to go to trial,” he said.
The deal, offered by the district attorney’s office, was necessary to protect the 9-year-old victim in the case, said Assistant District Attorney Lisa Carey.
Carey told Beemer that if the case went to trial, the boy would be required to testify in front of a jury, and because of his age, he is not even aware that he was victimized.
“The child would have to view and be aware of these images,” she said. “Unfortunately, when we have a 9-year-old victim, we do what we can to negotiate something that would benefit the victim and the community.”
In addition, Carey told the court that the 9-year-old victim’s mother is not being cooperative with investigators.
Godfrey was initially charged with 18 counts, including possession of child pornography, indecent assault and endangering welfare of children. Brackenridge police were contacted on Sept. 23 by the owner of a phone sex company who reported a disturbing phone call one of her operators received. During the call, according to the criminal complaint, Godfrey, who identified himself and provided a credit card number, spoke about performing sex acts with a 9-year-old boy and then put the child on the line to say hello.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Godfrey’s phone and found 13 images in it, including pictures of the 9-year-old unclothed, as well as pictures of the now-17-year-old girl, who was the victim in a case filed in Warren County in 2017. In that case, Godfrey pleaded guilty to indecent assault and was ordered to serve a minimum of 90 days in jail.
During Monday’s hearing, Beemer reviewed the images from the case in chambers with the attorneys present, and then returned to the courtroom to accept the plea.
“Despite significant reservations about this agreement, I became convinced after listening [to the attorneys],” Beemer said. “Sometimes, in these instances, it can do more harm to children.”
Defense attorney Duke George said that his client understands the consequences of his actions and wants to better himself.
“I will fully participate in the program,” Godfrey said. “I hope I can put this behind me.”
Charges against Godfrey’s wife, Shannon Godfrey, who was accused of helping to facilitate contact with the children, were withdrawn by prosecutors at her preliminary hearing.Other counts against John Godfrey of obstruction and endangering the welfare, for allegedly violating a no-contact order while the charges were pending, were withdrawn Monday by prosecutors.
John Patrick Godfrey will serve his probation through sex offender court, which carries much more stringent restrictions than traditional probation, including a prohibition on using the internet, possessing any kind of pornography or sexual materials.
In addition, he may not have any contact with any person under the age of 18 and must register for 15 years with the Pennsylvania State Police as a sex offender.
“If I find out you’re in violation of this court’s probation, you do not want to be in that position,” Beemer said. ”I’m not going to forget this. I’m not going to forget this case.”
