Charles L. Cohen, a prominent musician who tried to have oral sex with an undercover cop posing as a 14-year-old boy on Craigslist, was convicted last week of three felonies. But the Center City man must undergo four mental-health evaluations before a judge decides his fate.
Cohen appeared frail and feeble as he was wheeled into a Montgomery County courtroom Aug. 12. He pleaded “no contest” to charges of unlawful contact with a minor, attempt to engage in involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and criminal use of a communication facility.
Common Pleas Judge Gail A. Weilheimer accepted Cohen’s no-contest plea, and said he stands convicted on all three charges.
Cohen’s possible sentence ranges from probation to 43 years in state prison. He also faces up to $30,000 in fines. Cohen may remain free until sentencing, which won’t take place for several months.
In September, Cohen was nabbed by police at an Upper Providence shopping center, where he sought to meet a boy and have oral sex.
Cohen told Weilheimer he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His tremors make it difficult to sign a document legibly, he said.
“I’m slow to respond and put sentences together,” Cohen said, adding that he willingly entered a no-contest plea.
“These charges were brought against me, and I’m here to take care of them,” Cohen said.
During the 30-minute proceeding, Cohen appeared to be disoriented at times. For example, he gave his age as 72, though he’s actually 70.
When prosecutor Sophia G. Polites told Cohen that he shared a photo of his penis with an undercover officer, Cohen said he didn’t remember doing so. Cohen also said he didn’t remember telling an officer he wanted to “kiss you all over and give you a long, slow blow job,” as quoted by Polites.
“But it sounds like something I would have said,” Cohen conceded.
Weilheimer ordered four separate mental-health evaluations of Cohen, to be performed by state and county personnel. She said the findings will guide her when imposing a sentence.
The judge said the evaluations aren’t expected to be completed for at least three months. She also said Cohen may submit a “mitigation report” on his behalf.
Regardless of his sentence, Polites said Cohen is considered a sex offender and must register with state police every three months. If it’s determined he is a violent sexual predator, additional safeguards will be enacted, including community notifications, Polites added.
The date of Cohen’s sentencing will be announced at a later time, she added.