Jason Merrill, 36, of Cloquet, a former resident of Cook County, was sentenced March 9, 2010 at the Cook County Courthouse after pleading guilty to three gross misdemeanors – two counts of malicious punishment of a child that took place between 2003 and 2007 and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a child in 2007.
Five other charges had been dismissed – one charge of malicious punishment of a child, two charges of contributing to the delinquency of a child, and two charges of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
Merrill was accused of beating children under his care over the course of a decade, child sexual abuse, coercing children under his care to snort cocaine, and repeated physical abuse of a family dog.
Victim impact statements were made at the sentencing. A letter from one of the primary victims stated she would like to see Merrill in treatment and therapy, held accountable, and ultimately able to contribute positively to society. A letter from the victims’ grandmother said Merrill’s behavior was “maniacal,” “cruel,” and “hateful.” The plea agreement was “grossly inadequate,” she wrote.
The victims’ mother spoke, saying that while what had been reported was true, she had not taken enough responsibility as a parent in protecting her children. She said all of Merrill’s bad behavior has been pointed out but none of his good behavior. He has made changes, she said. “I don’t think Jason should go to prison,” she said. “I don’t think that’s going to help. … We can’t make the past right. We can’t do anything about that, but we can change the future.”
One of the victims said that Merrill has done many things right, that he still wants Merrill in his life, and that he doesn’t think jail is going to help.
Merrill was given an opportunity to speak. He said, “I’m very sorry and remorseful.” Judge Kenneth Sandvik asked him what he was sorry for. He was sorry for allowing the children under his care to use drugs and alcohol, Merrill answered, and for bringing everyone to this point. He said he thought allowing them to use drugs and alcohol in his presence would help them learn to control their use.
Merrill is sentenced to 365 days in the North East Regional Correctional Center (NERCC) in Saginaw, all of which he must serve. He must complete an alcohol assessment, follow the recommendations of the evaluation, attend a sex offender treatment program and undergo therapeutic polygraph testing as required, follow all instructions of probation, use no alcohol or controlled substances, submit to random drug testing, have no contact with the victims without prior approval from probation, maintain contact with probation, and have no same or similar incidents. He must also pay $7,736.97 in restitution plus $90 in fees and surcharges.
For each of counts 2 and 3, Merrill received 365 days at NERCC consecutive with count 1, stayed for three years.
Leave a Reply