A Bullhead City man will spend the rest of his life in prison for viewing child pornography on his electronic devices. Michael Barrett, 42, was sentenced to 135 years in prison by Judge Billy Sipe on Tuesday, May 28.
A Mohave County Superior Court jury deliberated only 20 minutes on April 3 before finding Barrett guilty of ten counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Sipe ordered consecutive 13.5-year sentences for each of the convictions.
Sipe said the Arizona legislature passed a law requiring Judges to impose at least a decade in prison for each count. He said it was “disturbing to the Court” that the images possessed and viewed by Barrett featured pre-teen children engaged in a variety of sexual activity.
Barrett said that he has suffered mental health issues since he was a teenager, including post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Barrett said he believes his child pornography interest is a product of his mental health troubles.
While Barrett’s initial convictions involve images, he also awaits trial in another case in which he is charged with three counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual conduct with a minor.
Defense attorney Robin Puchek said the charges may be resolved short of trial.
“The parties are still negotiating,” Puchek said. “It looks like we may be close to an agreement.”
Barrett next faces a June 3 status hearing.
