Defense attorney Robin Puchek is fighting for court ordered suppression of his client’s incriminating statements to officers before the Bullhead City man’s child pornography trial starts in Kingman. Michael David Barrett, 42, is charged with ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for images of child pornography found in October 2017 on a computer in his home in Katherine Heights.
Barrett is also charged in a separate case with three counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. The charges pending for a second trial later this year involve Barrett’s involvement in alleged touching activity with three young girls under the age of ten.
Puchek is trying to convince Judge Billy Sipe to suppress various admissions Barrett made during three interviews when he was arrested and two more interviews conducted two days later at the Adult Detention Center. Puchek said the incriminating statements should be kept from the jury because officers violated his rights by continuing to question him after he indicated he didn’t want to answer questions any longer.
During an evidentiary hearing in Kingman last Thursday Judge Sipe said officers clearly violated Barrett’s Miranda rights against self incrimination. That hearing will continue before Judge Sipe issues rulings telling attorneys which of Barrett’s admissions can be used at trial and which are suppressed.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s office began its investigation when mothers and girls came forward, disclosing the alleged touching and that Barrett also took pictures of young girls in their bathing suits. Detective William Dixon said Barrett told investigators that he needed help for his “internet problem”.
