FORMER JUDGE PLEADS GUILTY TO TRANSPORTING A WOMAN FROM WESTERN NEW YORK TO KENTUCKY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN PROSTITUTION

FBI

Ronald H. Tills, a 73 year old State Supreme Court Judge from Hamburg, New York, is chargedwith knowingly transporting a female in interstate commerce with the intent that the female engagein prostitution (Mann Act).  The charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, afine of $250,000 or both.  He pleaded guilty.  Tills admitted that in late October 2005,he, John Trowbridge, Michael Stebick, and others, transported a woman from the Western New Yorkarea to Kentucky and intended for the woman to engage in prostitution in Kentucky with members of amen's organization of which the defendant was a member.  As part of his plea proceedings,Tills admitted to five additional occasions where he engaged in similar conduct involving thetransportation of women across state lines for purposes of prostitution.  Trowbridge andStebick previously entered pleas of guilty for this same conduct and are awaiting sentencing whichis scheduled for January 12, 2009.
(Buffalo, New York)