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Sexton pretrial hearing postponed

ALPENA — A status conference scheduled for Monday on Shawn Sexton stalking case was adjourned until March 7 at 3 p.m. during a brief hearing held in Alpena’s 88th District Court Monday.

Sexton, an Alpena Municipal Councilman was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor stalking charges against his ex-wife and a male acquaintance in November.

Monday Judge Thomas LaCross said the adjournment came after a conversation with Alcona County Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Weichel, who was appointed special prosecutor to the case after Alpena County Prosecutor Ed Black recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest.

“I had a phone conversation with him and both parties agreed to an adjournment,” LaCross said.

Ahead of the Monday conference Weichel and Sexton’s defense were to gather lists of witnesses for the upcoming trial.

The adjournment also pushes back the trial date to March 9 at 9 a.m. according to court staff. Sexton did not appear in court on Monday.

According to court documents, the complainants alleged Sexton engaged in harassment against them on multiple occasions. In December Sexton said in a statement the charges were unfounded and he has faith in the justice system and is confident he will be found innocent.

If convicted Sexton could serve a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $1,000.

Jason Ogden can be reached via email at jogden@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693. Follow Jason on Twitter @jo_alpenanews.

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