Walnut Creek Attorney Faces Life Sentence For Sexually Abusing Young Girls

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A former real estate attorney faces multiple life sentences after being convicted of having child sexual abuse material and committing lewd acts on three children, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney.

A jury found Jonathan Dean Bishop, 51, guilty on 24 counts of committing lewd acts on three minors, each under 14, spanning nearly two decades. Court documents identified the victims as Jane Doe 1, Jane Doe 2, and Jane Doe 3, with abuse occurring between 2004 and 2021. In addition, Bishop was convicted of sexually abusing Jane Doe 1, who was under 10 at the time, between June 2010 and June 2018, the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office said in a statement.

Investigators also tied Bishop to the possession of more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting two of the victims. Law enforcement seized the material from a hard drive when Bishop was taken into custody at Oakland International Airport on Dec. 13, 2023, after arriving from Florida, where he had been living, according to the statement.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton praised the victims’ bravery and credited law enforcement and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

“Their forensic and investigative efforts were critical to this case,” Becton said in a statement. “Our office will always stand with the most vulnerable members of our community and remain committed to holding those who harm children accountable."

Bishop's sentencing date has not yet been announced.