Published: November 21, 2008 11:15 pm      

‘Predator’ faces 20 to 40 years

EBENSBURG — A Johnstown man was sentenced Friday to 20 to 40 years in state prison for repeatedly sexually abusing a boy and trying to molest a girl.

John Conaghen, 46, of the 300 block of Daniel Street, was determined by Judge David Tulowitzki to be a sexually violent predator likely to re-offend.

Under the state Megan’s law, Conaghen will be required to register his address with the state police for the rest of his life after he is released from prison.

Conaghen asked for time to report to the county prison, but the judge denied that request after Assistant District Attorney Kelly Callihan expressed concern that the defendant might be a flight risk.

Conaghen was taken to the county prison by sheriff’s deputies to begin serving his sentence until he is transferred to a state facility.

Under a plea bargain, Conaghen pleaded guilty to involuntary sexual intercourse in incidents involving the 10-year-old boy, who was a family friend.

Johnstown Juvenile Officer Julie Wag-ner alleged that several incidents occurred prior to and during June 2007.

In the other case, Conaghen pleaded guilty to corrupting the morals of a 10-year-old girl in the fall of 2003.

Wagner alleged that the defendant had pulled down the girl’s underpants, but the girl had fought him off.

Callihan said after the sentencing, “Even though the victims have some relief knowing the judge imposed such a severe sentence, they’ll live with the memory of what was done to them forever.”

Defense attorney Jerome Kaharick tried unsuccessfully to challenge the predator finding by the judge.