HARRISBURG - The sentencing for retired Mount Carmel police officer Blaine R. Handerhan, who pleaded guilty Oct. 5 in federal court to one felony count of possession of child pornography, has been continued until 10 a.m. June 5.
U.S. Middle District Senior Judge William W. Caldwell granted a motion Tuesday morning to continue the sentencing at the request of Handerhan's attorney, Matthew R. Gover, of Harrisburg. The sentencing was scheduled to be held Thursday morning, but Gover sought a continuance due to upcoming trials involving other clients he is representing.
Additionally, Gover said there is an expert report outstanding concerning Handerhan's background and history that has not been received to date. Gover said he wants to submit a memorandum in support of a deviation from the proposed sentencing guidelines offered in the pre-sentence report.
Gover, who filed his motion Monday, noted the continuance was not opposed by U.S. Attorney Jim Clancy, the prosecutor in the case.
The 56-year-old Handerhan of East Pennsboro Township, who faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, entered a guilty plea before Caldwell a week before he was scheduled to go to trial, which had previously been continued five times.
Handerhan, who served as a Mount Carmel policeman for 30 years before retiring on Oct. 30, 2005, at the rank of lieutenant, was indicted Oct. 13, 2010, on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.