Previously Convicted Michigan Sex Offender Allegedly Exposes Himself to a 14-Year-Old Boy

Earlier this week in Muskegon, a man was arrested after he allegedly exposed himself to a 14-year-old boy he had hired to do yard work. According to a report by MLive, the man allegedly drove by and saw the teen raking leaves in his yard with his mother. He approached the teen, told him what a good worker he was, and then offered to hire the teen for some yard work back at his home.

According to the prosecutor in the case, the man then exposed himself to the 14-year-old once, and then one other time attempted to elicit a sex act from the teen. He was arrested for aggravated indecent exposure and accosting a child for immoral purposes. As it turns out, the man had been convicted of sex offenses other times in the past, several from 1988 and others from 2002.

As a repeat offender, the man’s charges become more serious, increasing the total potential punishment he may face if he is convicted. For example, the aggravated indecent exposure charge, which normally carries a two-year maximum, carries with it a potential sentence of life imprisonment if he is convicted. The accosting a child charge, which is usually punishable by up to four years in prison, has a maximum of 15 years imprisonment if he is convicted.

Sexual Offenses Are Harshly Punished in Michigan Courts

There are few other offenses taken more seriously in Michigan than sexual offenses, especially when the alleged offense was aimed at a minor. In many cases, especially when the alleged offender has a previous record, a defendant may be looking at life in prison, or at least an effective life sentence.

Repeat Sexual Offenses in Michigan

Once a person has been convicted of a single sex offense, he or she is at risk of even stricter punishments for another offense or for failing to register if required to do so. Many sexual offenses require the person convicted of the crime to register for life. This means constantly updating the court system with your address, place of employment, and so forth. If a person fails to register, or fails to update the registration, that is a new offense that can be punishable by another lengthy prison sentence.

When a person who has been convicted of a sex offense is convicted for another sex offense, the punishment he or she may face will be exponentially higher, since the legislature has determined a second sex offense to be even more serious than the first. Therefore, no matter what kind of sexual offense you may be facing, it is imperative to retain a dedicated criminal defense attorney to represent you against the charges.

Have You Been Charged With a Michigan Sexual Offense?

If you have recently been charged with a Michigan sex offense, you should immediately contact attorney Steven Schwartz to set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Don’t talk to the prosecutor, the victim, or anyone else who isn’t looking out for your best interests. Call (240) 930-5019 to set up a free initial consultation today.

More Articles

• Sturgis Firefighter Facing Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published August 29, 2014.
• Michigan Man Crashes into “Drive Sober” Sign, Arrested for Driving Under the Influence, Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog, published September 30, 2014.