Jury finds registered sex offender guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced a jury has found 37-year-old William T. Bergeron of Cheektowaga guilty of the highest count in the indictment against him. Jurors rendered their decision this afternoon after less than an hour of deliberation following a four-day trial that began last week. Bergeron was found guilty of the following offenses:

√ One count of predatory sexual assault against a child (class “A-II” felony)

√ One count of endangering the welfare of a child (class “A” misdemeanor)

Between Aug. 15, 2018 and July 13, 2020, the defendant engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct against a child at a location in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendant, who was a registered sex offender at the time of the crimes, knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental or moral welfare of the same child victim. The defendant was known to the victim.

Bergeron faces a maximum of 25 years to life years in prison when he is sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges on Thursday, May 25. He continues to be without bail.

A temporary order of protection, issued on behalf of the victim, remains in effect.

District Attorney Flynn commends Det. Tim Turnbull of the Cheektowaga Police Department for his work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meredith M. Mohun of the domestic violence/special victims bureau and Assistant District Attorney Abbi L. Fuhrken of the Buffalo City Court bureau.