Pullin pleads guilty in child molestation case

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Stockton, Mo. -- As many as 40 onlookers filled the courtroom in the Cedar County Courthouse in Stockton on Friday for a hearing before Circuit Judge James Bickel in the case of Michael Dean Pullin, 35, charged with three Class B felonies of child molestation in the first degree. Pullin, a former registered psychiatric nurse, was accused of molesting his step-daughter in 2002 when she was 12 years old. Pullin pleaded guilty to one count of child molestation and the other two counts were dropped in the deal.

The agreement between Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Ash and the Pullin's attorney and former Nevada resident, David Slaby, calls for Pullin to be sentenced to five years in prison, be evaluated on the sex offenders unit, register as a sex offender the rest of his life, have five years probation and 120 days in a sex offender program. If he successfully completes the program he could be eligible for parole.

Bickel set a sentencing hearing Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at which time he could refuse the plea agreement. If he does Pullin can withdraw his guilty plea and the case could be set for trial. The victim and her family will be able to attend and speak at the hearing.