Morton Arraigned on Eleven Accounts of Sexual Assault of Minor

Joseph Richard Morton, 42, arrested in mid-January on multiple charges for alleged sexual assault, was arraigned on January 20th in Justice Court by Judge Benjamin Trotter. According to the criminal complaint read during Morton’s appearance in Justice Court, he is charged with six alleged counts of Statutory Sexual Seduction by a Person Age 21 or Older. Statutory sexual seduction, commonly referred to as statutory rape, is a Category B Felony that carries 1-10 years in prison (per count). Morton is further charged with a single count of allegedly Luring or Attempting to Lure a Child or a Mentally Ill Person to Engage in Sexual Conduct, also a Category B Felony that carries 1-10 years. Morton is facing four additional counts of alleged Lewdness with a Child under Age 14, a Class A Felony, punishable by life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years (per count). Four counts of alleged Child Abuse or Neglect, a first offense, were listed in the complaint against Morton as well, for which penalties vary based on the circumstances and nature of the abuse.  
Judge Trotter appointed the Churchill County Public Defenders’ Office to represent Morton. Bail was set at $100,000, bondable. Should Morton post bail, he is not to have any contact with the victim(s) or the victim's family, will be on house arrest, and must wear an ankle monitor. A status hearing was set for February 4th.