Ex-Pittsburgh Man Sentenced For Failure To Register As Sex Offender

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

PITTSBURGH, PA.- On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Terry Bonner, 30, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge W. Scott Hardy to 36 months in federal prison for his conviction on Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.

     Prior to handing down the sentence, Judge Hardy noted that Bonner’s conduct was particularly serious because of his lengthy criminal history, history of violence, and repeated willful disregard for his registration requirements. 

     Judge Hardy further noted that the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act requirements exist to keep communities safe from violent sex offenders with histories like Bonner’s and that he hoped that a sentence of 36 months in federal prison would finally impress upon Bonner and all sex offenders subject to the Sexual Offender Registration and Notification Act, that they must take their obligation to register seriously or face severe consequences. 

According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office

     According to U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan and charging information filed with the District Court, Bonner had previously pleaded guilty and was convicted of first-degree Criminal Sexual Abuse while residing in the State of Alabama, resulting in a requirement for Bonner to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. As part of his guilty plea in that case, Bonner was notified that he was required to register as a sex offender in the jurisdiction in which he resides.

     Bonner relocated to Pennsylvania and resided in the City of Pittsburgh between December 2022 and April 2023. During that time, Bonner failed to update his registration requirements with the Pittsburgh Police Department as required as a convicted sex offender. Court records from Alabama also revealed that Bonner also had been convicted multiple times for failing to register in that state.

     U.S. Attorney Olshan commended the United States Marshals Service and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation that led to Bonner’s successful prosecution.