Ex-East Bay attorney convicted of sexually abusing three girls

MARTINEZ – A former Walnut Creek attorney is facing multiple life sentences in state prison after a jury convicted him of sexually abusing three girls under the age of 14, prosecutors said.

Jonathan Dean Bishop, 51, was found guilty Monday on 24 counts of committing lewd acts upon the victims, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2 and Jane Doe #3, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors said the convictions carry sentencing enhancements and cover the periods of June 2012 to June 2021 (Jane Doe #1), February 2012 to February 2021 (Jane Doe #2) and September 2004 to September 2014 (Jane Doe #3).

In addition, the jury convicted Bishop of sexually abusing Jane Doe #1 between June 5, 2010, and June 5, 2018, when she was under the age of 10, prosecutors said.

Bishop was also found guilty of possessing more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting two of the victims, prosecutors said. The images were found on a hard drive seized by officers at Oakland International Airport on Dec. 13, 2023, when he was taken into custody upon arriving from Florida, where he was residing.

“The bravery shown by these victims was extraordinary, and their courage made this conviction possible,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement Tuesday. “Our office will always stand with the most vulnerable members of our community and remain committed to holding those who harm children accountable.”