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Monte DuPont on the stand with Judge Robert Springstead.
Sex offender found guilty of probation violation.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — A 26-year-old Hesperia man convicted of accosting a child for immoral purposes was found guilty in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Feb. 11, for violating his probation on three counts, including texting the victim.
Monte Lee Dupont, of 65 S. Winter St., pleaded guilty to the felony last August and was sentenced in October to 101 days in jail with credit for 101 days served and five years probation.
Dupont’s conviction stems from sending electronic messages to a girl who was 14 years old at the time, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.
Dupont, who was staying at a homeless shelter in Ludington, texted the now 16-year-old victim, according to testimony of his Oceana County probation officer Corrine Bickley.
He was not allowed to be on the Internet as part of his probation and was found to be in possession of a cell phone and a computer tablet, Bickley said. He admitted to a Mason County probation officer that he had contact with the victim.
DuPont said he had no contact with the victim, but was texting her mother. He also testified that he was given permission to have a cell phone to have contact with his probation agents. He also stated that he had no internet usage – only data usage.
Bickley testified that DuPont was viewing transgender porn.
“Do you remember telling Sgt. Havemen (of the Ludington Police Department) you were using your phone to access porn?” Bizon asked. DuPont answered, “Yes.”
“Why does the mom of that girl want to have contact with you?” Bizon asked regarding DuPont’s claim that he was texting the victim’s mother. “She was helping with other stuff,” DuPont said. “I was talking to her about if she would still let me be with her when she’s old enough. She was also helping me get another lawyer. She’s just a friend of mine.”
“In this case, the court does find that the defendant was placed on probation for accosting a child for immoral purposes,” Springstead stated.
“I find that he was not to be possession of a phone capable of connecting to Internet; not to be in contact with anyone under 17 years old; and not to be in contact with the victim,” the judge said. “Based on a preponderance of evidence, he violated his probation on all three counts.”
Sentencing is set for Feb. 25 at 9 a.m.
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