A Chapin man has been sentenced to probation after entering a negotiated guilty plea in a Morgan County criminal sexual abuse case.
According to Morgan County Circuit Court records, Michael C. Walters, 53, of Chapin, was originally charged on Feb. 13, 2025, with two Class X felonies: predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a family member under the age of 18.
Court records indicate Walters made his initial court appearance and retained defense attorney David Leefers of St. Louis on March 18, 2025. The case was later transferred to Greene County Circuit Judge Zachary Schmidt following a substitution of judge filing on Walters’ behalf on Aug. 6, 2025.
During a pretrial hearing on Wednesday, July 22, Assistant State’s Attorney Chad Turner requested leave to file an additional count of criminal sexual abuse. The court accepted the filing, and Walters entered a negotiated guilty plea to the Class 4 felony charge.
Judge Schmidt sentenced Walters to 30 months of probation, imposed a $500 county fine, applicable court assessments, and a $25 monthly probation fee. As conditions of probation, Walters must complete the MRT program, have no contact with the victim, and comply with a protective order that will remain in effect for two years after his probation ends. Walters also waived a pre-sentence investigation and was advised of his appeal rights.
As part of the negotiated plea agreement, the two original Class X felony charges were dismissed.
According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry, the victim was 11 years old, and Walters is required to register as a sex offender for the next decade per his sentence.