Hart man sentenced to 10-50 years in prison for child porn.

Morgan

Hart man sentenced to 10-50 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 was sentenced to 10-50 years in prison in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Aug. 31, for photographing a naked 10-year-old girl.

Carl Merlin Morgan, of 3112 56th Ave., pleaded guilty, July 6, to aggravated child sexually abusive activity. Charges of using a computer to commit a crime and methamphetamine possession were dismissed.

There is no evidence that Morgan sexually assaulted the victim in this case, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. 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 is lodged in the Oceana County Jail, appeared in court via Zoom videoconferencing 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.

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

He is a registered sex offender and will have to continue to comply with reporting duties, said Bizon.

Please consider helping fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website.

This story is copyrighted © 2020, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.