Friday, April 18, 2014

Former Trooper David Morikiawa Takes Plea Deal in Child Sexual Abuse Case

A former Michigan State Police trooper will not have a retrial next week after taking a plea deal in a child sexual abuse case.

David Morikawa, 40, was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2011. The charges involved a victim under the age of 13. At the time the charges were filed, Morikawa was a trooper at the Iron River Post, which has since closed.

He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 20 months to 15 years in prison, and he completed his sentence last year. After he was released on parole, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted him a new trial. Morikawa claimed he received ineffective assistance from counsel at his original trial. The retrial was scheduled to begin this coming Tuesday, the 22nd.

He has instead pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree child abuse. Morikawa will be sentenced on May 27th in the Iron County Trial Court. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he will receive credit for the time he’s already served. Morikawa also will not have to register as a sex offender and he won’t be subject to any further prison time, probation or fines.

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