Dog dragger to serve 10-40 years in prison for child porn.

Morgan

Dog dragger to serve 10-40 years in prison for child porn.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – A 50-year-old Hart man with a prior criminal sexual conduct (CSC) conviction and a felony conviction for dragging his dog to death behind a pickup truck is looking at a lengthy prison term for photographing a naked 10-year-old girl.

Carl Merlin Morgan, of 3116 56th Ave., pleaded guilty in 27th Circuit Court Monday, July 6, to aggravated child sexually abusive activity, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. In exchange for his plea, Morgan will serve 10-40 years in prison, Bizon said. Charges of using a computer to commit a crime and methamphetamine possession will be dismissed.

There is no evidence that Morgan sexually assaulted the victim in this case, Bizon said. However, Morgan has a previous conviction of third-degree CSC.

The maximum penalty for aggravated child sexually abusive activity is 20 years in prison. Morgan also pleaded guilty to third-offense habitual offender.

Morgan, who remains lodged in the Oceana County Jail, appeared in court via Zoom teleconferencing due to COVID-19 precautions.

Morgan and his relative, who was driving the truck, were convicted in 2011 after dragging a golden retriever to death behind a truck on Taylor Road in Golden Township. A third man in the truck was not charged.

Morgan pleaded “no contest” to a felony of killing and torturing an animal and was sentenced to six months in jail.

The incident was reported the night of April 21, 2011 after a woman noticed a “trail of blood” on Taylor Road near 48th Avenue. Authorities followed the trail for about three miles until it ended near Morris Road, where the dog was found buried.

Deputies said a gas station attendant witnessed three men, apparently intoxicated, at Wilson’s Party Store, at 2430 N. 56th Ave. They were last seen putting the dog in the back of the truck, police said.

Sentencing in Morgan’s current case is set for Aug. 31 at 9:15 a.m.

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