Sentencing for Wahl delayed

The court sentencing date for the owner of a southern Somerset County radio station has been continued until November.

Roger Wahl, 69, was due to be sentenced today in Somerset County court after pleading guilty earlier this summer to charges relative to accusations levied against him last year that he placed a trail camera in the bathroom of a female acquaintance, then created an online dating profile soliciting men to rape her.  Under the terms of a negotiated plea, Wahl faces a single felony charge that could land him up to seven years in prison, and will cost him the license of his radio station, WQZS-FM (93.3).  

Wahl founded that station, which first went on the air in September 1992.  It has a full-service format of Classic Hits.  Wahl, who hosted the morning show and was known to listeners as “The Commander”, is the sole owner.  Wahl attempted this past spring to transfer the license to his daughter, Wendy Sipple, in a $10 token transaction.  That transaction was initially approved by the FCC, but after learning of the pending litigation against him, the commission revoked its approval.

Current FCC rules and regulations prohibit a convicted felon from holding a broadcast license of any kind, and upon conviction, Wahl will no longer be eligible to retain possession of WQZS’s license, thus leaving the station’s future in doubt.  The station does business as Target Broadcasting, but the license has been in Wahl’s name for its entire existence.

Wahl’s sentence date was continued from today to Monday, November 16th before Somerset County President Judge D. Gregory Geary.  Wahl remains free on bond.

(Thanks to Ken for his continued coverage on this story.)