Tier 2 sexual offender gets 10-year prison sentence
file photo
Ronald Melvin Parnell
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — A Ronan man was sentenced to 10 years in Montana State Prison after photos of young girls, engaged in sexual acts, were discovered on his cell phone by his probation officer.
Ronald Melvin Parnell, 43, pleaded guilty May 11 to one count of felony criminal endangerment, amended from felony sexual abuse of children. On Aug. 10 he was sentenced to Montana State Prison for 10 years on the charge, with none suspended. One count of sexual abuse of children was dismissed; one count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs was dismissed. He was also sentenced to DOC for five years, none suspended, for a separate count of criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony, to run concurrent with an out-of-county case and consecutive to the 10-year MSP sentence. He was listed as a Tier 2 felony offender and must complete at least phase one of a sexual offender treatment.
When Judge Manley asked if the victims have been considered, the State said it was hard to determine the victims because it was difficult to identify the girls except for one, and that charge was dismissed.
According to court documents, Parnell’s cell phone was searched by his probation officer Oct. 22, 2015. The officer discovered photos of girls, under age 16, engaged in actual or simulated sexual conduct. There allegedly were also photos of a 9-year-old female personally known to Parnell, who was allegedly engaged in sexual contact. That count was dismissed. Meth was also found in his apartment the same day.
