William Oseen

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Marquette man will spend 14 months to four years in prison for soliciting sex from a 12-year-old girl.

William Andrew Oseen, 36, was sentenced Aug. 19 in Dickinson County Circuit Court after earlier pleading no contest to the charge of children-accosting for immoral purposes. As part of the plea agreement a charge of computers-using to commit a crime was dismissed.

On or about Aug. 28, 2023, Oseen messaged the girl on her phone in an attempt to get her to come to his location to engage in sexual activity, according to the criminal complaint. He also sent her a photograph of his genitals.

Oseen’s attorney, Abbey Anderson, asked Circuit Court Judge Christopher Ninomiya to consider a jail alternative or lesser jail term given the pre-sentencing report’s recommendation of a zero to six-month sentence.

Anderson said while Oseen has no recollection of the events, he has taken steps to correct his action to make sure that it does not happen again, including counseling for sex addiction and other underlying issues.

Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristin Kass stated that the sentencing guideline range did not seem adequate but given that Oseen has taken responsibility, waived a preliminary examination and pleaded no contest, he saved the victim from having to testify.

The victim’s sister read a statement prepared by the victim stating that since the incidents her mental and physical health has suffered and the whole thing replays in her head constantly.

Oseen told the judge he does not remember what happened but still has been doing everything in his power to make things right. Oseen said that he did not want to be incarcerated as he did not think he would be able to get the help that he needs.

“I know there is something wrong with me mentally and I am getting help,” Oseen said. “I am not a bad person, I just need help and I am getting that.”

Ninomiya said that he found the sentencing guidelines in the case woefully inadequate and he was seriously considering a prison sentence.

“I do not know that disturbing really covers the conduct that you engaged in, Mr. Oseen,” Ninomiya said. “For you to say you do not believe you should be incarcerated is shocking to the court, I do not understand how you could possibly think that someone that engages in these behaviors does not deserve to be incarcerated, that is alarming to the court that you do not recognize the seriousness of your behaviors.”

In addition to 14 months to 4 years jail time, Oseen was ordered to pay $1,250 attorney fees, $873.26 restitution, $250 court costs and a $60 DNA testing fee.

Jim Paul can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or jpaul@ironmountaindailynews.com.