Man pleads ‘no contest’ to child porn distribution.

Robert Pierce with his attorney Douglas Stevenson.

Man pleads ‘no contest‘ to child porn distribution.

#MasonCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

LUDINGTON – A 21-year-old Ludington man who pleaded “no contest” in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, May 14, to distributing/promoting child sexually-abusive material faces serving six months up front of one-year discretionary jail term.

Robert Anthony Pierce, of 210 N. Gaylord St., was initially facing up to 20 years in prison for his original felony charges of child sexually-abusive commercial activity and using a computer to commit a crime. Those counts were dismissed when he pleaded to the lesser charge, which carries a seven-year maximum.

Pierce’s cell phone contained video recordings of him engaging in sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. The videos contained “several occurrences” of Pierce “engaging in sexually explicit activity,” the judge said.

Pierce, who turns 22 years old next week, will be sentenced to probation and will have to register as a sex offender, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola.

Sentencing is set for July 9 at 2 p.m.

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