Former Mason Co. man charged with possession of child sexual material.

Morton

Former Mason Co. man charged with possession of child sexual material.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

CADILLAC — A former Mason County man who is currently serving a five to 15 year prison term for criminal sexual conduct has been arraigned on additional charges. Timothy Morton, 38, of Boon, was arraigned Tuesday in 84th District Court on the charges of possession of child sexually abusive material.

Morton was arrested by Michigan State Police and charged under Michigan Legislative Statue (MSL) 750.145c4-a, which states: “A person who knowingly possesses or knowingly seeks and accesses any child sexually abusive material is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both, if that person knows, has reason to know, or should reasonably be expected to know the child is a child or that the child sexually abusive material includes a child or that the depiction constituting the child sexually abusive material appears to include a child, or that person has not taken reasonable precautions to determine the age of the child.”

Morton is currently at Kinross Correctional Facility in Chippewa County.

In October 2017 he was sentenced in Wexford County’s 28th District Court on the charges of criminal sexual conduct against a child between the ages of 13 to 16. The victim was a member of the defendant’s household. The crime took place over an eight year period, which included a time when Morton lived in Mason County.

Wexford County Prosecutor Jason J. Elmore said after sentencing that the victim is transgender, a female who identifies as a male. He said he did not wish any disrespect but spoke about how he believes that the victim has gone through gender confusion because of the eight years of sexual abuse by Morton.

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 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 in August.

In addition to the maximum of 15 years in prison, Morton will be required to mandatory registration on the state sexual offender list.

Morton’s earliest release date is July 2022.

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