NORTHAMPTON — An Easthampton man pleaded guilty Wednesday to sexually assaulting a boy in February.
Joseph R. Bishop, 35, of 30 Everett St., was sentenced to two years in the Hampshire County House of Correction, followed by five years probation, after admitting that he raped and assaulted a 5-year-old boy, according to court records. Bishop has credit for 76 days served. He was arraigned Feb. 26, and bail was set at $10,000 cash.
Hampshire Superior Court Judge Daniel Ford accepted the deal reached by defense attorney Rachel Weber, of Northampton, and Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Linda Pisano.
Bishop was originally charged with two counts of aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child, unnatural acts with a child and possession of child pornography after he told police that he had sexually assaulted the boy and had child pornography on his laptop, according to court documents.
Police said the boy’s mother reported Feb. 18 that Bishop sexually assaulted her son. Bishop is known to the mother and child. The boy told investigators during interviews that Bishop molested him.
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.