Former Walnut Creek Attorney Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Minors

From the Office of the District Attorney:

Martinez, California – On March 2nd, a Contra Costa County jury convicted a former Walnut Creek real estate attorney on 27 felony counts related to the sexual abuse of children and the possession of child sexual abuse material.

Jonathan Dean Bishop, 51, faces multiple life sentences after being convicted on 24 counts of committing lewd acts upon three minor victims, each under the age of 14, identified in court documents as Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, and Jane Doe #3. The convictions carry sentencing enhancements and cover the following periods:

• Jane Doe #1: June 2012 – June 2021
• Jane Doe #2: February 2012 – February 2021
• Jane Doe #3: September 2004 – September 2014

Moreover, the jury convicted Bishop of sexually abusing Jane Doe #1, who was under 10 years old at the time, with the abuse occurring between June 5, 2010, and June 4, 2018. He was also found guilty of possessing over 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting two of the minor victims — evidence recovered from a hard drive seized by police officers at Oakland International Airport on December 13, 2023, when Bishop was taken into custody upon arriving from Florida, where he had been residing.

Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton said, “The bravery shown by these victims was extraordinary, and their courage made this conviction possible. We are grateful for the outstanding work of law enforcement and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, whose forensic and investigative efforts were critical to this case. I am also proud of our entire trial team — the Deputy District Attorney who prosecuted the case, our legal clerks, witness coordinators, victim advocates, and investigative staff — whose dedication and professionalism were evident every step of the way. Our office will always stand with the most vulnerable members of our community and remain committed to holding those who harm children accountable.”