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Rodney Ramthun and defense attorney Terry Shaw.
Shelby man sent to prison for child porn possession.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — A 52-year-old Shelby man was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison for convictions of child sexually abusive material possession and fourth-offense habitual offender in 27th Circuit Court Monday, June 3.
Rodney Alvin Ramthun, of 4080 W. Baker Rd., pleaded guilty to the charges last April. Ramthun is currently incarcerated in the Oceana County Jail on a one-year term for a cocaine delivery conviction.
Ramthun was arrested last August stemming from a November 2017 raid of his home by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT), which ultimately led to his conviction of cocaine delivery less than 50 grams March 12, 2018.
He was previously convicted in Oceana County of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) April 17, 1995; second-degree CSC April 1, 1996; and felony assault March 21, 2014. He was sentenced to two and a half to 15 years in prison for the 1996 conviction.
He previously testified that he was in possession of a video that showed an underage girl performing oral sex.
The images were found on his smart phone, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.
“He had this on his phone while he was arrested,” said Ramthun’s attorney Terry Shaw. “It is not something new he did subsequent to the drug offense.”
“I would like to apologize to my family,” Ramthun said. “This has caused them a lot of shame and embarrassment. I will never be able to fix that and make it better.”
“I have some good things in my life, but I also have some bad things,” he said. “I don’t want to be remembered for the bad things.”
Ramthun said his previous prison stint “took a toll” on his dad. “He passed two years after I got out. I really think that took a toll on his health. It wasn’t fair to him or my family that they suffered for my sins.
“Whatever happens here today, I’m prepared to deal with it. MDOC scares me, I’m going to admit it.”
Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said Ramthun’s latest conviction is his fifth felony. “He has a habit of these crimes against a person,” Bizon said. “Mr. Ramthun belongs in prison.”
Judge Robert D. Springstead said he is concerned about Ramthun’s two prior CSC convictions. “You have two prior convictions involving kids.”
He received credit for 293 days already served in jail.
Part of the plea deal was that Ramthun will not face any other charges. Bizon said other potential charges came to light after additional pornographic material was allegedly found on Ramthun’s phone.
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