Former Scottville man pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct with minor.

Morton

Former Scottville man pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct with minor.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

CADILLAC — Timothy Morton, formerly of Scottville accepted a plea agreement with the Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office today in 28th Circuit Court on a charge of criminal sexual conduct second degree. The offense is a charge of sexual contact with a child between the ages of 13- to 16-years-old and a member of the defendant’s household.

Morton was initially charged with CSC first degree, a felony punishable by life in prison; CSC second degree, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison; aggravated indecent exposure, a high court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years imprisonment; and child abuse third degree, a felony punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

According to Wexford County Prosecutor Jason J. Elmore, the charges stemmed from allegations that Morton had engaged in sexual acts with a female minor in his household while living in Wexford County’s Cherry Grove Township.

“This result is thanks to the cooperation of the Michigan State Police detectives and forensic interviewers at the Traverse Bay Child Advocacy Center,” Elmore said.

Morton faces up to 15 years in prison and mandatory registration on the state sexual offender list.

“ A plea like this saves the tax payers the money of a trial,” Elmore said. “It also saves further emotional impact upon the victim and her family. The defendant admitted his conduct in open court.  Admissions like this go a long way for healing.”

Bond was revoked pending sentencing, which is likely next month, Elmore said.