10/29/12 - A Howell Township man's 2010 sentence for distributing child pornography has been upheld by the Michigan Court of Appeals. In an opinion released Friday, the state appeals panel ruled that a Livingston County Circuit Court decision did not abuse due discretion when it revoked bond for Dennis Lloyd Fraser Jr. and sentenced him to prison after he violated terms of his probation. Fraserâs attorney argued that the court was mistaken in revoking his probation prior to paperwork being signed. However, the appeals panel ruled that because the condition that Fraser not engage in new criminal behavior is mandatory, the judge did not abuse his discretion when revoking probation. Fraser pleaded guilty in 2010 to distributing or promoting child sexually abusive material, possession of child sexually abusive material and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime. He was sentenced to one year in the Livingston County Jail and five years of probation. But while jailed, the 42-year-old Fraser assaulted another inmate. He was then ordered to serve concurrent sentences of 23 months to seven years in prison for the distribution and computer crimes and 23 months to four years for possession of child sexually abusive material. He has since been released and is serving parole. (JK)
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