COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Coldwater man who was facing ten charges involving child sex crimes has entered into a plea bargain with Branch County Prosecutors.
69-year-old Dennis Roger Watson entered no contest pleas last Friday in Branch County Circuit Court to charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct with an underage girl as well as to a count of second degree C.S.C..
In exchange for his pleas, prosecutors dismissed eight other charges against Watson. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 26.
The first degree Criminal Sexual Conduct count carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 25 years to life. The second degree C.S.C. is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Pursuant to Michigan law, the resolution reached in this case will result in the Defendant being incarcerated until he is at least 93 years old.
Watson was charged following a Michigan State Police investigation into the alleged crimes which prosecutors say took place over a period of at least eight years.
Branch County Prosecutors originally filed five counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct against Watson along with three first degree C.S.C. counts.
He also faced charges of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and using a computer in the commission of a crime.
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