Walsh attends court hearing, charged with accosting for immoral purposes
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ALPENA -- James Walsh, 33, had a status conference hearing on Monday morning in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena County.
Walsh is charged with children – accosting for immoral purposes, computers – internet communication with another to commit a crime, and resisting and obstructing police.
He was arraigned on those charges on Aug. 11 in the 88th District Court in Alpena County.
A preliminary investigation indicates that on Aug. 8, troopers were made aware that Walsh was engaging in conversations of a sexual nature with an individual posing as a 13-year-old girl. The conversations began in May and continued until troopers were notified on Aug. 8.
During the investigation, troopers located Walsh in a parking lot of an apartment complex. When troopers advised Walsh he was under arrest, he resisted. Walsh was ultimately arrested and lodged at the Alpena County Jail. He was given a $25,000 cash or surety bond.
Walsh was released from jail after a stipulated order for bond modification was submitted on Sept. 30, according to Alpena County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Alyssa Miller.
A stipulated order means that the prosecution and defense reach an agreement to present to the judge, who then decides to sign and make the order official. In Walsh's case, the stipulated order requested a bond modification so that he could be released from jail under added conditions.
According to Miller, those conditions are wearing a GPS tether, forbidding internet access and devices that connect to the internet, and forbidding contact with anyone under age 18. He is also required to participate in services through Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority (NEMCMH), report any changes in behavior, take any prescribed medications, and comply with all previous conditions of bond.
At Monday's hearing, Walsh appeared in person. His defense attorney Alfred Brandy updated Judge Ed Black on the status of the case and the date of the next hearing was set.
Walsh's next hearing will be at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 2 in the 26th Circuit Court.
Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@thealpenanews.com.