By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Sean Michael Phillips is asking for an appeal of Judge Richard Cooper’s decision to allow the murder charges against him to proceed. Phillips’ attorney, David Glancy, filed the appeal today in 51st Circuit Court. Phillips is charged with the murder of his 4-month-old daughter, Katherine Phillips. Also known as “Baby Kate,” Katherine has been missing since June 29, 2011. Phillips is currently serving a 10-15 year prison sentence for unlawful imprisonment, also known as kidnaping. On Friday, Cooper ruled to reverse the September decision by 79th District Court Judge Wadel to drop the murder charges, based on lack of evidence. Cooper said he was hesitant to reverse Wadel’s decision calling it “a penny wise and a pound foolish.” Cooper ordered today that the Michigan appellate defender’s office take the case. “This is an appeal by leave and the court of appeals has to agree to hear the appeal,” Glancy told MCP. “It is not an appeal by right, which the court of appeals would have to hear.” In September, Judge Wadel dropped the charges during a preliminary examination, citing there isn’t enough evidence to bind the case to circuit court. After hearing arguments by […]
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Phillips to appeal murder charges of Baby Kate.
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Ludington man sent to prison for third-offense domestic violence
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to three to 10 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison Tuesday, Dec. 9, in 51st Circuit Court for third-offense domestic violence. Adam Wayne Nelson, of 503 First St., was found guilty by a jury, Nov. 20. He was also convicted by the court of habitual offender, third offense. Judge Richard I. Cooper ordered that he pay $2,000 in court costs, along with $198 in fees and additional costs. Nelson, who was given credit for 25 days served in jail, was arrested April 25 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
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79th District Court sentencings.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: - David Brian Richmond, Jr., 25, of 403 S. Madison St., Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 2 of operating while intoxicated. He was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; $1,060 in fines and costs; outpatient treatment; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; must attend the next session of the Victims Impact Panel (VIP); must attend AA twice a week for one year; no alcohol/drugs; and subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests. Conviction is reportable to SOS. - Scott Samuel-Ray MacArthur, 20, of 314 ½ N. William St., Apt. 8, Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 2 of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and domestic violence. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served for each count; $1,120 in fines and costs; driver’s license suspended one year/restricted after 30 days; one year discretionary jail for two years for Count I; 93 days discretionary jail for two years for Count II; and subject to random PBTs and drug tests. - Kimberly Rae Currier, 38, of 409 Second St., Ludington, was […]
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Circuit court sentencings include domestic violence, robbery, home invasion and drunk driving.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 9, in 51st Circuit Court: - Adam Wayne Nelson, 40, of 503 First St., Ludington, was found guilty by a jury, Nov. 20 of third-offense domestic violence and found guilty by the court of habitual offender, third offense. He was sentenced to three to 10 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections prison with credit for 25 days served in jail and $2,198 in fines and costs. Related story here - Codie Lee Fink, 21, of 1783 N. U.S. 31,Scottville, was found guilty Nov. 4 of two counts of assault – weapon and one count of assault and battery. He was sentenced to two one-year jail terms with credit for two days serve in jail and one 93-day jail term with credit for two days served; must serve six months up front; balance to be served at the court’s discretion; 18 months probation; and $691 in fines and costs. Two counts of felonious assault, two counts of felony firearms were dismissed. Related story here - Jaralee Chaloux Sobers, 31, of 4716 N. Beaune Rd., Ludington, was found guilty Nov. 4 of unarmed robbery. She was sentenced to […]
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Arraignments include felony firearm, resisting police, embezzlement.
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies - Shalyn Dawn Raney, 26, of 1619 Dyson, Muskegon, was arrested Dec. 5 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for felonies of receiving and concealing a firearm; felony firearm; and accessory after the fact. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 17 at 11:15 a.m. Bail:$7,500/cash/surety/10 percent cash. - Elrico James Brooks, 35, of 308 ½ Court St., Ludington, was arrested Dec. 5 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 17 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $10,000/cash/surety. - Sabrina Teresa Donald, 52, of 607 E. State St., Scottville, was arrested Dec. 4 by MCSO for a felony of embezzlement $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 17 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $5,000/personal. - Gregory Alexander Jolly, 22, of 3680 E. First St., Custer, was arrested Dec. 2 by MCSO for a felonies of malicious destruction of police property and resisting/obstructing police; and two counts of domestic violence. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 17 at 11:15 a.m. […]
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Plainwell man sentenced for stealing from church.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 17-year-old Plainwell man who broke into a downtown Ludington church was sentenced to one year in jail today during 51st Circuit Court. On Nov. 12, Marek Juergen Witkowski, of 633 Brigham, Plainwell, pleaded guilty to safe breaking and larceny of Greater Life Church, 208 S. James St. Witkowski was arrested Sept. 26 by Ludington Police Dept. Safe breaking is punishable by a maximum of life in prison while larceny of a building is punishable by up to four years in prison. Witkowski told the court he was cleaning Greater Life Church (now known as Radiant Church and located on South Washington Ave.) when he decided to break into the safe. He said he knew where the key to the safe was kept and he took about $500. He then deposited the money into his bank account and spent it. “What is concerning in this case is that the defendant has stolen from a church previously in Kalamazoo County and is serving probation for that offense,” Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said. “What is even more troubling is that he has maintained a connection with the same church members and committed a similar or […]
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Two men sentenced to jail for felony drug charges.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — Two men were sentenced on drug possession charges this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court. Austin Martin Billings, 21, of 212 E. Melendy St., Apt. 3, was initially charged with two felony drug charges following a Sept. 19, 2014 arrest by Ludington Police Dept. Bryan Patrick Lund, 28, of 195 Monroe St., Apt. A, Manistee, was also arrested that evening and charged with two counts possession of non-narcotic with intent to deliver. Billings will serve one year in Mason County Jail, spending the first four months up front with credit for 89 days served. He will also be placed on two years minimum probation. One of the drug charges and the repeat offender charge were dropped in the plea agreement. Lund will serve one year in jail with four months up front. At the end of the third month, he has the option to attend a 30-day minimum rehabilitation program. Billings told the court during his plea hearing on Nov. 12 that he was driving east on the one-way Danaher Street about 11:30 p.m. when a vehicle came toward him in the opposite direction. The vehicle was a Ludington police officer. The police officer told […]
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Ludington man to serve 6-30 years in prison for B&Es of area businesses.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A Ludington man who broke into several Amber Township businesses, sold drugs and jumped bail, will serve the next 6 to 30 years in prison. Raymond Allen Anthony, 37, of 202 W. Fitch St. was sentenced today in 51st Circuit Court for the October 2013 breaking and entering of Amber Township businesses Alway’s Antique Mall, Alway’s Service Center and Marek Auto Parts. He later sold drugs in his driveway. He also absconded bond and was later arrested in Florida. He was extradited back to Michigan. Anthony was initially charged with five counts of breaking and entering, a count of safe breaking, two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, marijuana, a count of absconding and forfeiting bonds and habitual offender third offense. The breaking and entering charges included one count of breaking and entering into Alway’s Antique Mall/Alway’s Service Center at 2144 W. Johnson Road, Amber Township, five counts of breaking and entering at Marek’s Auto Parts, 3473 W. U.S. 10-31, Amber Township, a count of attempted safe breaking at Marek’s. Each of the B&E charges are punishable by up to 10 years in prison while the attempted safe breaking charge is punishable […]
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Free Soil man sentenced up to a year in jail for attempted CSC with minor.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Free Soil man was sentenced to one year in jail for having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl. Joseph Michael Cook, of 8010 N. Custer Rd., appeared in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday. Cook was arrested Aug. 20 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office and charge with three counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree, each crime punishable by 15 years in prison. On Nov. 12, 2014, he pleaded no contest to a plea agreement of one count of attempted CSC second degree. He will serve no more than six months up front in the Mason County Jail, the remainder is discretionary. He will also not be allowed to have contact with the victim or her family and must serve five years probation and must register as a sex offender. There are various stipulations to charge a person with CSC third degree, but in this case it was because the victim was at least 13-years-old and under 16-years-old. Pleading no contest means the defendant admits no guilt for the crime but the court can determine the punishment. Cook accepted a sentencing agreement with Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Spaniola for the two charges […]
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51st Circuit Court sentencings
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced Tuesday, Dec. 16, in 51st Circuit Court: – Raymond Allen Anthony, 37, of 104 Wigton St., Hart, was found guilty of two counts of breaking and entering a building with intent and habitual offender, fourth conviction. He was sentenced Dec. 16 to two concurrent terms of six to 30 years in a Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) prison with credit for 96 days served in jail; $6,900 in restitution; and $266 in fines and costs. Three counts of breaking and entering a building with intent and one count of attempted safe breaking were dismissed. In another file, one count of breaking and entering a building with intent and habitual offender, fourth conviction, were dismissed Dec. 16. In another file, Anthony was found guilty Nov. 12 of absconding/forfeiting bond and habitual offender, fourth conviction. He was sentenced Dec. 16 to one year, six months to 15 years in prison with credit for 96 days served. In another file, Anthony was found guilty Nov. 12 of two counts of controlled substance, delivery/manufacture and habitual offender, third conviction. He was sentenced Dec. 16 to two concurrent terms of three to eight years […]
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79th District Court sentencings
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Bradley Alan Mann, 21, of 6690 E. Borowski Rd., Fountain, was found guilty by a jury Dec. 8 of two counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 90 days in jail; one year discretionary jail for two years; must obtain a Hands-Down evaluation and follow recommendations; and $1,865 in fines and costs. Restitution is reserved. No contact with victims. – Zachary Grey Wallace, 28, of 311 S. Staffon St., Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 9 of attempted assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. He was sentenced to 20 days in jail with credit for 20 days served; one year discretionary jail for one year; no alcohol/drugs; subject to random preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests; and $720 in fines and costs. – Waylin Ray Coolman, 18, of 410 S. Main St., Scottville, was found guilty Dec. 10 by the court of controlled substance, possession of marijuana. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail; 7411 revoked; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; $490 in fines and costs; must attend school with no unexcused absences/tardies;no alcohol/drugs; and random drug […]
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79th District Court arraignments
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Dayvin Michael Flickinger, 22, of 406 E. Foster St., Ludington, was arrested Dec. 17 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of false report of a bomb threat. A preconference is set for Dec. 29 at 10 a.m., and a preliminary exam is set for Dec. 30 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $150,000/cash/surety. Related story here – Daniel John Cook, 34, of 123 W. Broadway, Scottville, was arrested Dec. 12 by the Michigan State Police, Hart post (MSP-H) for felonies of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) – victim under 13/defendant over 17; attempted CSC; and two counts of second-degree CSC. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 23 of 11:15 a.m. Bail: $50,000/cash/surety. MSP indicates that the charges stem from incidents that occurred over an extended time period with one female victim. – Gilberto Miguel Colon, 18, of 718 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington, was arrested Dec. 8 by LPD for felonies of first-degree home invasion and conspiracy to commit first-degree home invasion. A preliminary exam is set for Dec. 23 of 11:15 a.m. Bail: $50,000/cash/surety. – Alex […]
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79th District Court sentencings
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Andrew Lawrence Barrette, 51, of 127 S. James St., Ludington, was found guilty Nov. 26 of allowing a person to drive in violation. He was sentenced to one day in jail with credit for one day served; $335 in fines and costs; and 90 days discretionary jail for one year. – Jack Daniel Willoughby, 19, of 618 ½ E. Melendy St., Ludington, was found guilty Dec. 11 of driving while unlicensed/never applied and sentenced to $275 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to the Secretary of State (SOS). – Vincent Carl Seltzer, 47, of 3309 S. Stiles Rd., Scottville, was found guilty Dec. 11 of driving while license expired and sentenced to $225 in fines and costs. Conviction reportable to SOS. – Jeffrey Scott Liggett, 36, of 3507 Vance Rd., Traverse City, was found guilty Dec. 11 of driving while license suspended (DWLS) and sentenced to $285 in fines and costs and 93 days discretionary jail for one year. Conviction reportable to SOS. – Dustin Douglas Rynberg, 19, of 185 Munn St., Hesperia, was found guilty Nov. 26 of minor in possession of […]
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79th District Court arraigments: Ludington couple facing multiple weapons charges
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Christopher Wayne Bailey, 41, of 308 E. Court St., Apt. 7, Ludington, was arrested Dec. 19 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for felonies of receiving and concealing weapons; weapons possession by a felon; two counts of felony firearms; and habitual offender, second offense. A preconference is set for Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. and a preliminary exam is set for Dec. 30 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $50,000/cash/surety. – Tina Ann Bailey, 34, of 308 E. Court St., Apt. 7, Ludington, was arrested Dec. 19 by LPD for felonies of felon in possession of a firearm; two counts of felony firearms; and larceny of a firearm. A preconference is set for Dec. 29 at 10 a.m. and a preliminary exam is set for Dec. 30 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $50,000/cash/surety. – Jonathan Herman Chambers, Jr., 19, of 926 E. Tinkham Ave., Apt. 313, Ludington, was arrested Dec. 20 by LPD for a felony of breaking and entering of a residence. A preconference is set for Dec. 29 at 10 a.m., and preliminary exam is set for Dec. 30 […]
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Arraignments: Walhalla man faces six felonies
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Nicholas Brian Lauterwasser, 22, of 186 S. Walhalla Rd., Walhalla, was arrested Dec. 26 by the Michigan State Police (MSP) for felonies of interfering with electronic communications; third-offense domestic violence; and habitual offender, third offense. In a separate file, Lauterwasser was arrested Dec. 26 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for two felony counts of resisting/obstructing police and one count of habitual offender, third offense. A preconference is set for Jan. 5 at 10 a.m., and a preliminary exam is set for Jan. 7 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $25,000/cash/surety. – Scott Samuel-Ray MacArthur, 20, (no address listed), was arrested Dec. 22 by the Ludington Police Department (LPD) for a felony of aggravated stalking. In a separate file, MacArthur was arrested Dec. 22 by LPD on two felony counts of resisting/obstructing police. A preconference was set for Dec. 29, and a pretrial was set for Dec. 30. Bail: $25,000/cash/surety. – Devehance Joqui Walker, 19, of 532 W. Hansen Rd., Scottville, was arrested Dec. 26 by MSP for a felony of tampering with an electronic monitoring device and habitual […]
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79th District Court sentencings
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in 79th District Court: – Justin Alan Kase, 22, of 209 S. Columbia St., Scottville, was found guilty Jan. 6 of larceny less than $200. He was sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served; $285 in fines and costs or 30 hours community service; 10 days discretionary jail for one year or until fines/costs paid. – Anthony Stuart Blowers, 27, of 203 N. Reinberg Ave., Scottville, was found guilty Jan. 6 of third-degree retail fraud. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail; $568 in fines and costs; 93 days discretionary jail for two years; probation will end after one year if fines/costs paid within six months; no alcohol/drugs; must submit to preliminary breath tests (PBTs) and drug tests; and must seek employment. Restitution is reserved. – Kayla Ann-Marie Jowers, 21, of 112 Fourth St., Ludington, was found guilty Jan. 6 of driving while license suspended (DWLS). She was sentenced to $568 in fines and costs or 57 hours of community service; 93 days discretionary jail for one year; and probation may end after paying fines/costs within eight months. Conviction reportable to the […]
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79th District Court arraignments
By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor. LUDINGTON — The following were arraigned recently in front of the 79th District Court Magistrate: Felonies – Andrew David Archey, 23, of 106 S. Washington Ave., Ludington, was arrested Jan. 6 by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for felonies of controlled substance delivery and possession of analogues. A probable cause hearing is set for Jan. 14 at 1:15 p.m. Bail: $5,000/10 percent. – Benjamin James Rhinebolt, 53, of 207 Thomas St., Scottville, was arrested Dec. 26 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a felony of third-offense operating under the influence of liquor (OUIL). A preliminary exam is set for Jan. 14 at 11:15 a.m. Bail: $3,500/10 percent. Misdemeanors – Kristine Liane Drake, 33, of 6363 N. Custer Rd., Free Soil, was arrested Jan. 8 by the Michigan State Police, Hart post (MSP-H) for a misdemeanor of failure to maintain security. A pretrial is set for Feb. 2 at 9:45 a.m. Bail: $1,500/personal. – Esteven Escamilla, 18, of 6676 N. 126th Ave., Hart, was arrested Jan. 2 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a misdemeanor of third-degree retail fraud. A pretrial is set for Feb. 2 at 2:30 […]
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Ludington man pleads guilty to breaking and entering.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A 31-year-old Ludington man, arrested for second degree home invasion, agreed to a plea agreement this afternoon in 51st Circuit Court and will face up to 1 year in jail. Fremont Kerricks, 701 E. Ludington Ave., was arrested on Oct. 9 by Ludington Police Dept. and has been in the Mason County Jail since. Kerricks accepted a guilty plea of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny and agreed to serve up to one year in jail, serving 10 months up front and then serving 60 days in a substance abuse treatment program. Kerricks told Judge Susan Sniegowski that he entered the home on South James Street on Aug. 26, 2014 to “buy a bag of weed.” However, he had entered the wrong house. “The door was open at the place I went to. I thought the person I was looking for lived there and it turned out now the case. I was walking through the house (asking if anyone was home) but no one answered.” Kerricks admitted that he took items from the house, including a jar of change and some movies. He said he later returned the movies to the home. […]
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Ludington man pleads guilty to multiple counts.
LUDINGTON — A Ludington man charged with multiple felonies accepted a plea agreement today in 51st Circuit Court. Gary Allen Jacobsen, 25, of 207 S. Washington Ave., Apt. 1, initially entered a guilty plea before Judge Richard Cooper on June 26, 2014 for the charge of possession of the controlled substance morphine. However, he failed to appear for his Aug. 12 sentencing. He was then arrested on Oct. 16 by the State Sheriffs’ Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) and charged with possession of analogues (morphine) — a 2-year felony — and also habitual offender fourth offense, elevating his potential punishment up to 15 years. He was also charged with absconding or forfeiting bond, a 4 year felony and assaulting and/or resisting a police officer, punishable by up to 2 years. He has previous convictions of larceny of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possession of analogues. The June 2014 plea agreement was withdrawn from Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola, who then offered a plea agreement of serving 2 to 14 years in prison on the charge of possession of analogues. He also accepted a plea agreement of repeat offender and resisting/obstructing a police officer and […]
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Homeless man pleads no contest to arson, faces prison time.
By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. LUDINGTON — A Ludington man accepted a sentencing agreement today in 51st Circuit Court for a charge of arson and will likely face prison time for the offense. George William Winters, 60, a homeless man, was arrested Aug. 2 and charged with two felony counts of second degree arson (punishable by up to 20 years in prison), a misdemeanor of arson of person property of more than $200 and less than $1,000 and also habitual offender fourth offense, which doubles prison time. On Aug. 2 Winters set two camp tents on fire on private property on South Jebavy Drive. The property contained several tents. According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, the incident occurred after an argument between Winters and the owners of the tents. The area was known to be a campsite for homeless people. Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola offered Winters a sentencing agreement dismissing one of the arson counts and the misdemeanor. He also dropped the habitual offender fourth offense to third offense. Winters has previous convictions from 1976 of burglary or forced entry in Mason County, 1977 of unlawfully driving away a vehicle in Ottawa County, 1986 criminal sexual conduct in Mason […]
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