"He used to defend criminals, now he is a criminal," said District Attorney Bill Higgins.

Bingaman faces more than 300 counts including statutory sexual assault, rape and indecent assault. According to Higgins, Bingaman abused the girl from the time she was 7 until she was 11, often several times a week.

"I think it says a lot about the young girl. She knew the amount of press that would be covering this story and she still came forward," said Higgins.

The girl, who is now 13, wrote a note to her mother about the alleged abuse, and according to the criminal complaint, her mother confronted Bingaman. He told her he felt bad about what had happened and that it was "the curse of the pedophile."

Bingaman has defended some 2,000 alleged sex offenders during his career, Higgins said.

"It's a little unsatisfying in a way because I had a good working relationship with him," said Higgins. "However, I have no problem seeing he is penalized for what he did."

Because of Bingaman's connection with several inmates in the Bedford County Jail, he was moved to the Cambria County Jail as a precaution.

His bond is set at $200,000.

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