Amber Twp. man sentenced to jail for exposing himself to 6-year-old child.

Routh with defense attorney David Glancy.

Amber Twp. man sentenced to jail for exposing himself to 6-year-old child.

#MasonCountyCrime.

LUDINGTON — Gavin Ray Routh, 23, of 525 W. LaSalle Road, Amber Township was sentenced Tuesday in 51st Circuit Court to one year in jail and five years probation on the charges of accosting a child for immoral purposes.

Routh appeared in court wearing a plain white t-shirt and shorts. Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola said there were “a number of concerns in this particular case.

“First, the nature of the offense itself involved the defendant approaching a young child, who was 6-years-old at the time, in a garage and exposing himself to her and inviting her to touch his exposed penis. The young lady in this particular case, in my opinion, is a little hero for saying no and for going to tell her mother right away.”

Judge Susan Sniegowski said the child was someone who was familiar with Routh, who was a friend of the child’s family. “This was somebody Mr. Routh had regular contact with. You were in a position of trust with that family and you violated that trust by your actions,” she said to Routh.

Judge Sniegowski also ordered Routh to not have any contact with individuals under the age of 17 unless he receives written permission and clearance from his probation agent. The situation with him having contact with his infant son, who was born at the end of March, will also need to be reviewed by his probation agent, Sniegowski said.

The sentencing was a result of a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office. On April 24, 2018, Routh pleaded no contest to the charge. He was also originally charged with a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure, which was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.  A no contest plea does not admit guilt but is treated as a guilty plea at sentencing.

“Mr. Routh has a continued history of limitations of a developmental nature,” Spaniola said. “The court is aware that the defendant did receive an evaluation for competence. It did find him competent to stand trial, but there is a long history of limitations.”

He received credit for 269 days of time served in jail.

Routh also has a pending case in 79th District Court. He is facing charges of criminal sexual conduct fourth degree and accosting a child for immoral purposes.

According to Mason County Press’ database, Routh was arrested on April 1, 2017 by Scottville Police Department for accosting a child for immoral purposes and indecent exposure. He was also arrested on May 1, 2017 by Ludington Police Department for accosting a child for immoral purposes,  two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and aggravated indecent exposure. 

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