Serving time for child porn, Newtown man faces trial on child molestation charges

A retired U.S. Army Colonel serving time in federal prison for child porn possession is now facing trial in Bucks County on child molestation charges.

Newtown Township police allege that Richard Allen Boerckel sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in 2008 and 2009 – before his arrest for child porn possession in 2011. He was charged in April and waived a preliminary hearing to review the charges in Newtown district court on Monday.

Boerckel, 70, of Newtown, knew the victim through one of her relatives, police said. Charges against him include aggravated indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor, both second-degree felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison a piece.

Boerckel was arrested in 2011 during an undercover operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to bust online subscribers to hardcore child porn websites. Boerckel put $80 on his credit card to access websites including "Hottest Childporn Garden," according to federal court documents.

In November 2011, he was sentenced to 30 months in a federal prison facility in Virginia. He's now awaiting trial in Bucks County prison with the understanding that he will return to federal custody when court proceedings conclude, according to federal court filings.