July 17, 2006

Ex-Priest Pleads Guilty in Internet Sting

Pennsylvania man who came to Nassau County to meet 14-year-old boy pleads guilty, will be sentenced in August

MINEOLA, NY - Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that Thomas Bender, 71, of Easton, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to six counts of Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, a Class E felony, six counts of Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and seven counts Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class B misdemeanor. The charges represent the entirety of the May 2006 indictment of the defendant by a Nassau County Grand Jury.

“Hard work by the Nassau County Police Department and our refusal to plea bargain will, we hope, land the defendant in prison for a very long time,” said District Attorney Rice, who at the time of the plea recommended maximum time for Mr. Bender. “The threat against our children is no longer confined to the playgrounds and the parks. It now includes the message boards and the chat rooms that exist within our homes. Law enforcement must remain vigilant and parents must remain informed if we are to keep our children safe today and in the future.”

In March 2006, Mr. Bender was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department following his involvement in an on-line discussion of a sexual nature with a detective who was posing as a 14-year-old boy. Following the AOL Instant Message conversations with the detective, the defendant attempted to meet the “14-year-old boy” at an undisclosed Nassau County location, where he was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department.

In May, Mr. Bender was indicted by a Nassau County Grand Jury on six counts of Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, six counts of Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree and seven counts Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

ADA Stephen Treglia, Chief of the Cyber Crime Unit, is handling the case for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Bender is being represented by Legal Aid. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced August 14 by Judge John L. Case.