Christopher B. Bergman
Leonardtown, MD – On Nov.5, St. Mary’s District Court Judge Christy H. Chesser sentenced Christopher B. Bergman, 27, of Blairsville, PA to 11 months for having a handgun in his vehicle. Bergman had attempted to enter Patuxent Naval Air Station. The incident occurred this past summer.
Assistant States Attorney Jaymi Sterling stated, “The defendant has a prior disorderly conduct charge and I suggest mental health treatments as a part of the sentence.”
According to court documents, military police “arrived on scene and began to question Bergman. Upon questioning Bergman, [police] asked if he had any weapons on his person or in his vehicle. Bergman stated to [police] he had a .38 Special caliber handgun that was loaded in the front passenger area of his vehicle.”
Kevin Hill Bergman’s attorney said, “this case is a little different then what district court normally handles. Bergman was talking to the guards for 30 minutes and it did not present a problem. One of the guards asked if he had any weapons, and Bergman replied yes. Bergman wants to finish college, and is a smart young man.”
Court documents state that “Bergman was sent to the base by a CIA operative, to speak with high-ranking military officials.”
“It was a very dangerous situation to go to a military base with a loaded gun in the car. I am very confused, and I don’t understand why you were at the military base,” said Chesser.
Bergman told the judge he “had no intent to show harm to anyone, I had an issue to pass onto the United States forces. It is a shame that we are here today, I am sorry to the court and the state for carrying a weapon.”
Bergman also received two years supervised probation, it was unclear if the probation would be in Maryland or Pennsylvania. In addition, Bergman may not possess any firearms, and may not enter Patuxent Naval Air Station.
Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com.