IRON MOUNTAIN — A Felch Township man who failed to register a new address as a sex offender will spend a minimum of two years in prison.

Thomas Pikey Jr., 43, was sentenced Monday in Dickinson County Circuit Court for failure to comply with the Sex Offender Registration Act, second offense, a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.

Pikey was convicted as a three-time habitual offender and may spend as many as 14 years in prison.

Dickinson County Circuit Judge Christopher Ninomiya said Pikey’s significant criminal history left the court with no alternative but to send him to prison.

According to the criminal complaint, Pikey — who in 1996 was convicted of attempted criminal sexual conduct-fourth degree — failed to register a new address in Felch as required of a Tier 2 sex offender in May.

Pikey initially waived arraignment July 8 and was not required to appear in court. A not guilty plea was entered on Pikey’s behalf by Dickinson County Circuit Judge Christopher Ninomiya.

Pikey was rearraigned Sept. 9 as part of a plea agreement.

In exchange for Pikey’s guilty plea, Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Richards agreed to reduce a habitual offender-fourth offense notice, which would have increased the maximum sentence to life in prison.

Richards also agreed to dismiss a count of failure to comply with reporting duties, a high court misdemeanor with a two-year penalty.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.