Sheriff, investigator disagree on plea deal
Emotions ran high in Superior Court last week when a former Bibb County law enforcement officer entered a guilty plea to three counts of incest after fathering a child with a stepdaughter he had raised since she was four years old.
Micheal Scott Dorough,46, was sentenced to a total of 60 years Sept. 10, with the first 30 years to serve in confinement after his negotiated plea was renegotiated due to Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece letting it be known he did not agree with the first attempt.
Dorough was arrested March 17 and charged with incest, cruelty to children in the first degree and influencing a witness. He was indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury June 5 and was charged with eight counts of child molestation, one count of aggravated child molestation, three counts of incest and one count of influencing a witness. His wife, Ashley, was arrested and subsequently indicted for related offenses. She also entered a guilty plea Sept. 10. Her plea was entered as first offender, which means those records are sealed.
Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale handled the pleas of the Doroughs, and Superior Court Judge Stephen Bradley presided over the case.
Michael Dorough was represented by defense attorney Floyd Buford.
Barksdale styled the case for the court, stating that the abuse took place since the victim was 12 and continued until a child was born to the 17-year-old.
“The DNA test leaves no question that Michael Dorough is the father,” the prosecutor said.
Barksdale said there is a second victim, also a stepdaughter. He said four children lived in the household, and all were aware the abuse was happening. It was even witnessed several times.
The first negotiated plea presented to the court was 30 years with 25 years to serve for one count of incest.
As the plea process continued, Bradley swore in Michael Dorough. He then asked Reece if he was in agreement with the negotiated plea.
“No sir, we don’t agree,” the sheriff said.
Reece premised his statement with assurance of his confidence in the district attorney, but not in this particular plea. JCSO Investigator Lt. Crystal Murphy said they have worked on this case for six months, and the sentence was not consistent with previous sentences.
Murphy referenced a recent case, Brian Ross, who received a total sentence of 60 years with 30 to serve for child molestation. She said that case involved one victim.
“We have two victims here and a child that is a product of that relationship,” the lieutenant said.
She said there is a lot of evidence, and Dorough has shown no remorse.
“As a deputy, he knew better. He knows the law,” she said. “This does a lot to harm the opinion of the public.”
Reece agreed. “The DA has worked hard, but we have to disagree about this one,” the sheriff added.
The judge spoke to one of the victims who was in court and asked her opinion of the proposed plea. She said she did not agree with the plea. She stated she was groomed by Dorough, who caused a division between family members.
“He robbed me of everything. He came into my life when I was four and took my virginity when I was 17,” she said.
Bradley said he agreed with Murphy and believed it was a perception issue.
“If your job is to enforce the law and you’re caught violating it, you can’t expect special treatment,” he said.
Buford said the plea was hard fought, and he believed if the case went to trial, they had a strong defense. He pointed out the monetary cost of a trial and the people involved would be examined in court. The attorney said the plea would allow closure.
“Mr. Dorough is deeply regretful, and he’s not asking for special treatment,” he said. “Serving 25 years in prison isn’t nothing.”
Buford asked the court to consider the joint recommendation.
Bradley said he holds the district attorney in highest regard, but he could not accept the plea. He said he felt the resolution was close and agreed 25 years to serve is not a short sentence. But he added it was in contrast to too many other cases.
Barksdale asked if the state and defense could continue to work on plea negotiations and return.
Bradley agreed, and the renegotiation began at 11:30 a.m. while motion day continued with other cases on the court docket.
Barksdale and Buford returned at 12:55 p.m with a second attempt of negotiations to avoid a trial.
The district attorney announced the new agreement, and Reece said he could agree to the guilty plea to three counts of incest. The sheriff added, however, Murphy was still not in agreement.
Bradley reminded Dorough he was still under oath and asked him if he was guilty of the charges. Dorough said he agreed with the facts of the case as presented and agreed to the sentence of 60 years with 30 years to serve.
The Jones County Sheriff’s Office had a strong showing of law enforcement while Dorough was in the courtroom, and several members of the victim’s family and friends attended the proceeding. It was notable that no one was present in support of the defendant.
After the sentence was pronounced, Buford stated that he believed the sentence was would include eligibility for parole.
Bradley said the remaining counts against Dorough would be dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
“I hope this brings peace and closure to you,” he said to the victim who was in the courtroom.
More case background
Dorough previously came before Bradley in a June 16 bond hearing. Buford also represented him in that proceeding.
Barksdale spoke for the state and began by stating the facts of the state’s case. He said Dorough was arrested on warrants March 17 while he was a sergeant with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
The DA said Dorough abused two children who were living in the same house. One of those children became pregnant, and a child was born.
Bradley asked how long ago that had been, and Barksdale said the abuse took place over a decade. He said the current ages of the victims were 20 and 16, and they were his stepchildren.
The prosecutor said, during the pregnancy, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a tip. When the victim was interviewed by a JCSO investigator, she was not truthful. Barksdale said after the child was born, more tips were received.
That next interview with the JCSO investigator was different. The victim said the reason for her previous statements was that her mother and stepfather had convinced her she would be arrested if she told the truth.
Both Michael Dorough and his wife Ashley were charged with influencing witnesses.
Dorough was arrested March 17 while on the job in Macon with the assistance of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. He held the rank of sergeant in the department. To say he did not cooperate during the arrest would be a gross understatement.
Ashley Dorough was arrested at her residence the same day. Both had been held without bond since their arrests.
