Sentencing for an Independence Township man for committing computer-related pornography crimes has been adjourned until May 16.
Nicholas Michael Baker, 20, appeared before Oakland County Circuit Judge Fred Mester on April 25, ready for sentencing on three counts of distributing child sexually abusive materials (a seven-year felony), two counts of possession of child sexually abusive materials (a four-year felony) and five companion charges of use of a computer in committing a crime (a four-year felony).
Baker entered a guilty plea on March 21, and has been involved in counseling since then. On April 25 defense attorney David Gorosh presented a letter to Mester, resulting in the adjournment.
Assistant prosecutor Rob Giles offered no objection while standing in for assistant prosecutor Matthew Roth. Roth later said the adjournment was not unexpected.
While there were ‘no deals? in the entering of the guilty plea, Roth said earlier that Mester may find Baker eligible for probation and alternative sentencing under ‘youthful trainee status.?
Baker appeared in court neatly groomed, wearing a business suit and accompanied by several family members.
In other court activity of local interest, two men appeared before 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry on April 18 on a combined 15 charges of home invasion.
Lucas Daniel Burnett, 25, of Davison, and Christopher Robert Reid, 19, of Clarkston, were arrested on April 4 and charged with involvement in multiple breakins in Independence and Springfield townships.
According to assistant prosecutor Liz Corkins, Reid waived his right to a preliminary exam at the district court level and was bound over to circuit court. Burnett retained a different attorney, who requested an adjournment for approximately 30 days to prepare for a preliminary exam.
Burnett was charged with two counts of first degree home invasion (a 20-year felony) and six counts of second degree home invasion (a 15-year felony). Reid was charged with one count of first degree home invasion and six counts of second degree home invasion.