Saginaw Man With Attempted Murder Record Convicted Of Amassing Child Sexual Abusive Material

62-year-old Michael Tillman, previously jailed for attempted murder, faces new prison time and lifetime sex offender registration after a 2026 conviction.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 4:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from MLive

Plea Agreement and Legal Proceedings

In a courtroom session on March 30, 2026, Michael D. Tillman appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Darnell Jackson to address a series of digital sex crime charges. Tillman entered a plea of no contest to three counts of possessing child sexually abusive material and one count of utilizing a computer to commit a crime. Under Michigan law, a no contest plea allows for a conviction without the defendant explicitly admitting guilt, a move Tillman's defense attorney noted was intended to mitigate potential civil liability. As part of the proceedings, the prosecution agreed to dismiss four additional counts, though the remaining charges still carry significant weight due to Tillman's extensive criminal history.

Digital Evidence and Investigation

The case against Tillman was built on a multi agency investigation led by the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Authorities were alerted to Tillman’s activities in August 2025 following a tip regarding illicit material being uploaded to the internet. A subsequent search warrant executed at Tillman’s residence on October 9 led to the seizure of digital storage devices containing over 100 images and 13 videos. Prosecutors allege the material depicted the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children. While Tillman reportedly admitted to investigators that the devices belonged to him, the formal conviction was entered based on MSP forensic reports reviewed by the judge.

A History of Violent and Sexual Offenses

Tillman’s current conviction is set against a backdrop of serious prior offenses in Saginaw County. His criminal record dates back to 1983, when he was convicted of second degree criminal sexual conduct. In 1987, a jury found him guilty of assault with intent to murder, leading to a prison sentence of 12 to 30 years. Because of these prior felony convictions, the maximum potential penalties for his latest crimes are subject to doubling under Michigan’s sentencing guidelines. The habitual offender status ensures that Tillman’s latest legal infractions will result in a lengthy return to the state prison system.