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Showstopper: Bernie Ward Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison

Show’s over for former liberal radio host Bernie Ward. The San Francisco radio personality was sentenced to seven years on child pornography charges. Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker sentenced Ward to seven years and three months in federal prison calling his case a “personal tragedy.”

A former Roman Catholic priest and father of four, Ward, 57, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of distributing child pornography. He was turned in by an online dominatrix who grew concerned about images he had of young children.

It is a pretty harsh sentence and Judge Walker even questioned the need or wisdom to send people like Ward away to prison for so long. Walker said he was “not at all convinced” that such sentences are warranted, but notably did not depart further on sentencing. The prosecutors had asked for nine years.

Under his plea agreement, Ward admitted sending dozens of porn images via email.

For the full story, click here.

9 thoughts on “Showstopper: Bernie Ward Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison”

  1. Mojo,

    I have cancelled my OT classes at Scientology. I understand everything at this singularity. Being “clear” is of no use to me.

    martha,

    I am being serious now. I hope you are O.K. and just kidding around.

    Jill

  2. Jill –

    “I hope someone with in-depth knowledge of the subject will post to this thread.”

    Martha –

    “PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!”

    Jill, I think your request has just been granted …

  3. PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!

    PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!

    PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!

    PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!

    PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN! PALIN!
    PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA! PUMA!

  4. palindrome,

    My post at 10:48 was in response to JT.

    My understanding on this issue is the same as yours. I hope someone with in-depth knowledge of the subject will post to this thread.

  5. Jill, I got what you were saying. As for the the number of incarcerated, I agree with you completely. I think we need to cut loose all the non-violent drug offenders. I mean seriously, jail time for a little weed?

  6. I agree also. I’ve read that the best way to stop further offenses in domestic violence is not a lengthy jail sentence, but a swift and sure one. It seems like this would make sense for cases like this as well. I was wondering if someone knew of effective ways of stopping this behavior. I do think we imprison too many people instead of using alternative, more effective methods. Sorry if I wasn’t clear in my post about that.

  7. I read that pedophiles are extremely resistant to treatment. Is that true? And if so, how do you balance their need for treatment with the safety of our children?

  8. Jill:

    I agree that jail is clearly warranted. It is the length of the incarceration that the judge was questioning. Obviously, Ward needs help, but I agree with the judge that he is not likely to get it in jail.

    JT

  9. “These images depicted these minors suffering the most horrific torment,” Steve Grocki, a Justice Department lawyer who led the Ward prosecution, said to Walker. “He traded in the currency of human suffering.”

    I think this statement is correct. This is not just one man’s personal tragedy. The making of child pornography requires the abuse of children. Long prison terms are not the best answer to many crimes but I don’t think Mr. Ward should not be held accountable for trafficking in pictures derived from the misery of and cruelty towards children.

    I am open to anything that would stop the abuse of children. If there is a better way than prison time that way should be used.

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