A man from Bay City has been sentenced to decades in prison after pleading no contest to sexually abusing a minor over several years, in a case a judge described as a severe betrayal of trust.
Lengthy Prison Sentence Handed Down
Michael D. Black, 37, was sentenced by Manvel Trice III in Saginaw County to a prison term ranging from 15 to 60 years. The minimum sentence falls at the highest end of the recommended guidelines.
Black was also credited for time already served in jail and will be required to register as a sex offender. Following his release, he will remain under lifetime electronic monitoring.
Charges and Plea Agreement
Earlier this year, Black entered a no-contest plea to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving personal injury. Prosecutors dropped several additional charges as part of the plea deal, including counts involving younger victims and other related offenses.
According to the prosecution, the agreement was made in consultation with the victim and her family, helping avoid the need for the victim to testify in court.
Details of the Abuse
Court records indicate the abuse occurred between 2017 and 2021 at a residence in Saginaw. Authorities said the victim was a young girl and that the offenses included repeated acts of exploitation. Investigators also reported that alcohol was provided to the victim during the period of abuse.
Some of the dismissed charges were related to a separate underage victim.
Judge Condemns Breach of Trust
During sentencing, Judge Trice strongly criticized the defendant’s actions, stating that the crimes represented a deep violation of a child’s trust and an adult’s responsibility to protect.
The judge emphasized that such offenses can have long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences for victims, extending far beyond the incidents themselves.
Ongoing Impact
While the victim was not present in court, a written statement was submitted on her behalf. The court acknowledged the lasting harm caused and recognized her resilience.
Case Outcome
With the sentence now finalized, Black will spend a significant portion of his life in prison, followed by strict monitoring upon release. Authorities say the outcome reflects the seriousness of crimes involving the exploitation of minors.