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Updated: 6:01 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009 | Posted: 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
TACOMA, Wash. —
A Tacoma judge accused of paying male prostitutes for sex has been found guilty on several charges.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Hecht was found guilty of patronizing a prostitute, felony harassment, and threatening to kill a prostitute on Wednesday.
Prosecutor John Hillman said the judge spent years cruising the Antique Row neighborhood of Tacoma looking for young men to pick up for sex.
WATCH IT: Judge Says He Was Framed In Prostitution Case
Joey Hesketh, 25, who testified against the judge, said that Hecht was one of his most frequent clients.
Hesketh said he first met Hecht more 10 years ago when he was 14 years old.
After the Hecht was elected, he threatened to kill Hesketh if he told people about their relationship.
Hecht's defense attorney Wayne Fricke claimed the case was nothing more than an opportunity for drug addicts and street people to conspire to sue Hecht by lying about their relationship with him.
The 59-year-old was elected to the Pierce County bench in August 2008 and sworn into office in January.
He also faces charges brought by the state's Commission on Judicial Conduct. A hearing on those charges is set for February.
The prosecuting attorney said Hecht will likely face a maximum sentence of about 90 days on both charges because he has no other criminal record.
Previous Stories: October 27, 2009: Case Of Judge Accused Of Paying For Sex Goes To Jury October 26, 2009: Tacoma Judge Takes Stand In Own Trial
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