Man who inadvertently turned himself in then went on the run, pleads guilty to child pornography

NORWICH – A Bainbridge man pleaded guilty to child pornography charges and jumping bail Monday in Chenango County court.

Mark Cunningham, 45, admitted to first degree disseminating indecent material to a minor, a class D felony, and bail jumping, a class E felony. The charges involved Cunningham convincing a girl under the age of 15 to engage in visual sexual acts with him over his web camera and then fleeing authorities to avoid prosecution.

Sentencing was postponed, but District Attorney Joseph McBride acknowledged a possible plea arrangement in court of one and a half years in local jail, sex offender registration and $1,370 in court fees and fines, as long as Cunningham pleaded guilty to the top count in his indictment.

“Because of his conduct in this case and because he ran away, it is my position that Mr. Cunningham should go to state prison. I will hold any further comment until we appear for sentencing,” said McBride.