Walker Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanors

The former congressional candidate charged with stalking his ex-girlfriend has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors and has been sentenced to a year of probation. 32-year-old Derek Walker of Clearfield pleaded to disorderly conduct, invasion of privacy, harassment and defiant trespass. As part of the plea agreement, felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass were dropped. Besides probation, Walker must also pay a 400-dollar fine and have no contact with his former girlfriend or her family. The charges were brought against Walker five days before the April 22 primary in which he was vying against eight other candidates to become the Republican nominee to the seat now held by Congressman John Peterson, who is retiring at the end of the year. Glenn Thompson of Centre County won the nomination and is running against Democrat Mark McCracken of Clearfield County.