May 16, 2015
Former Montgomery County Republican Party chairman Robert Kerns has been designated a sexually violent predator as the fallout from a 2013 incident continues following a no contest plea to misdemeanor indecent assault late last year.
A Montgomery County judge ruled on Friday that Kerns, 67, must register his address with state police for the rest of his life, Newsworks reports.
The designation, which comes amid two years of probation under the plea deal, is made primarily for Megan's Law reporting purposes, according to defense attorney Brian McMonagle.
When Kerns was initially arrested in 2013, he faced allegations of raping a 51-year-old woman by means of the sleeping aid Ambien following an office party for his law firm. The most serious charges, including rape of an unconscious woman and sexual assault, were thrown out by a district judge due to lack of evidence after the state Attorney General's office took over the case, according to Philly.com.
Kerns ultimately pleaded no contest to misdemeanor indecent assault. When the allegations went public in a grand jury indictment, Kerns left his law firm and stepped down as GOP chair.
Friday's ruling also requires Kerns to attend monthly counseling sessions.
