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	Ex-Radio Host Pleads Guilty in Child Porn Case By Joshua Molina San Jose Mercury News May 9, 2008 http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_9202649?nclick_check=1 Former Bay Area radio talk-show host Bernie Ward pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of distributing child pornography. Ward, known for expressing liberal views on KGO-AM (810), where he hosted a nightly talk news show, admitted that in December 2004 he sent an image depicting naked children engaging in sexually explicit conduct, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Ward sent the photo while engaged in an Internet chat conversation with a San Francisco-area woman, authorities said. Ward, who has since been fired from the station, also admitted to sending up to 150 images of child pornography to other individuals. These images involved prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, some with sadistic, masochistic or violent conduct, according to a statement from the Justice Department. Ward, a former Roman Catholic priest, once hosted a Sunday show called "Godtalk," and initially explained the explicit photos by claiming that he was doing "research" for a book. At the time of his December indictment, Ward said he was writing a book about hypocrisy. Regardless of intent, it is illegal under federal law to receive, possess or distribute child pornography, the Justice Department said. Ward, 57, faces from five to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced in August. KGO marketed Ward as "The Lion of the Left." The station did not return Mercury News calls Thursday. Ward began at the station in 1985, developed a huge fan following and was a frequent face on CNN and other national cable talk shows, where he espoused left-wing views and opposed the Bush administration. He once taught at Bellarmine College Preparatory. Contact Joshua Molina at jmolina@mercurynews.com or (408) 275-2002.
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