Pocono News Section

Judge makes former police officer change prostitution plea

Judge makes former police officer change prostitution plea - Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 5:18PM EST

Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008 @05:18pm EST

Former Newport Township police officer Levi Gibbon Jr. tried to plea no contest to a prostitution charge in Luzerne County court Tuesday.

It's a plea designed to take punishment for a crime, without admitting guilt.

A judge wouldn't accept it, sending gibbon to trial.

Gibbon tried to enter a no contest plea, but a judge said he either needs to plead guilty, or go to trial.

Gibbon’s attorney Shelley Centini says, "No contest pleas are generally less popular than a guilty plea. So you don't see them that often. But in my experience, I've done several."

No contest means the defendant understands the charges, and is willing to face sentencing, but refuses to admit guilt.

Gibbon's lawyer, Shelley Centini, wouldn't say why he tried to plead no contest.

State police say gibbon agreed to perform a sex act on an undercover trooper for 200 dollars.

It all allegedly happened here, at the Wilkes-Barre lodge last August.

Since the judge did not accept gibbon's no contest pleas his name was put on a trial list.

But it's not clear when he'll be back in court.

Gibbon, seen on the right with sunglasses, voluntarily left the Newport Township police department after the arrest.

Right now, he's free on bail, waiting for his next day in court.