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January 7, 2009

Man charged with child porn, molestation

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Cherokee County prosecutors charged a local man Tuesday with two counts of possession of juvenile pornography and two counts of lewd molestation.

Michael Ray Wright, 35, was charged after an investigation by Tahlequah police. The allegations occurred between April 1 and Dec. 18. The porno counts indicate he had pictures of underaged girls.

Lt. Jonathan Wells’ probable cause affidavit states Wright’s girlfriend found explicit pictures of two different juveniles. The girlfriend sent the pictures to police through her sister and mother, and the photos showed the girls exposing themselves.

Four photos were taken with the girls’ knowledge, but the girls also posed in different positions. Two other pictures were taken while they were asleep, and their undergarments had been cut to expose them.

Wright was located and taken to the police department, the affidavit states. He signed a rights waiver and admitted taking the photos and cutting the undergarments.

Special District Judge Sandy Crosslin set a $75,000 bond on Wright.

The lewd molestation counts are punishable by imprisonment for three to 20 years. The pornography counts are punishable by imprisonment for no more than 20 years and/or a fine of not more than $25,000. Anyone convicted of the porno statute is not eligible for a deferred sentence.

Wright completed a suspended three-year sentence in October on a possession of controlled drug case.

Assistant District Attorney Yvette Duvall is prosecuting the case.

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