By ROBERT A.

DEFRANK

For The Intelligencer

Tabitha Gallagher, who fled the area with her boyfriend and their two children last year when police were seeking him for questioning related to child pornography, was sentenced to 18 months in prison Monday.

Gallagher, 38, appeared before Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato, after pleading guilty two weeks ago to felony attempted obstruction of justice.

Her co-defendant, Wesley Alan Burdge, had already been sentenced and is serving 16 years for two felony counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor. The charges stem from an October investigation when detectives served a search warrant on the Flushing residence in the course of an investigation of their roommate, John Null Garwon III. The Internet Crimes Against Children Division of the Belmont County Major Crimes Unit had received evidence from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating Garwon had been sharing child pornography on the internet.

Garwon was arrested, but Burdge and Gallagher reportedly fled with their two children. After a manhunt of nearly a month, they were arrested in November in Washington, Pa. During sentencing, Gallagher’s attorney, Bruce Clark, said Gallagher’s role was minimal and asked for less than the maximum sentence.

“My client has no criminal history,” Clark said. “She was asked to transport the co-defendant. She did that, not knowing … why she was doing that.”

Clark added that Gallagher realized she should have contacted authorities when she learned more.

Fregiato had hard words during sentencing. “This court is … sickened by the facts in this case,” Fregiato said. “And your desire to totally forego the love and companionship owed to your kids. … That’s how I read this.”

Fregiato imposed the maximum sentence of 18 months.

“Quite frankly, to be blunt about it, I would give you more if I could, but that’s the maximum,” he said.

She was given credit for 197 days served.

Meanwhile, Garwon, 43, faces charges of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and rape. His trial date is set for Aug. 13.