Royal Oak man held on $1M bond for nine felony counts.

ROYAL OAK, MI — A 26-year-old man was charged Thursday with molesting a young girl and taking illegal photos of her. He is being held on a $1 million bond.

Sean Patrick McFarland of Royal Oak stood mute before 44th District Court Judge Terrence Brennan on nine felony counts. The judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Royal Oak police Sgt. Robert Riley said someone found photographs of the defendant engaging in various sexual activities with the girl and brought them to the police station on Tuesday. The incidents allegedly happened in Royal Oak between December 2007 and August 2008. The victim now is 7 years old.

During a video arraignment from the police station, McFarland was charged with three counts each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime.

“I’m asking for a high cash bond given the severity of the offenses,” Detective Frank Bonnette, who is investigating the case, told the judge.

Brennan set the bond at $1 million with no chance for release.

Wearing a blue paper jumpsuit because his clothes were seized as evidence, McFarland told the judge he is unemployed, lives with his parents, and needs a court-appointed attorney.

If convicted, McFarland faces 25 years to life in prison for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which involves a defendant who is at least 17 and a victim under the age of 13. The minimum 25-year sentence also carries a penalty of electronic monitoring for life.

The other charges are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $100,000 fine or both. McFarland is due back in court at 9 a.m. Oct. 23 for a preliminary examination.

SOURCE:  http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2009/10/16/news/srv0000006631745.txt