Newaygo man pleads guilty to CSC

Joshua Chupp, Jr., at left, with his attorney, Charles Chamberlain, Jr.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — An 18-year-old Newaygo man pleaded guilty in 27th Circuit Court Tuesday, May 5, to a felony of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), testifying that he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl last February.

Joshua Anthony Chupp, Jr., who is currently lodged in the Oceana County Jail, was arrested March 5 by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) for three counts of third-degree CSC – person 13-15. Third-degree CSC is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

The alleged incident(s) occurred Feb. 17 in Greenwood Township, and a warrant was authorized March 4, according to his court file. His bail was set at $5,000/10 percent.

In exchange for his guilty plea to one count, the other two counts were dismissed. Chupp may be eligible for Holmes Youthful Trainee Act status (HYTA), and Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon said he would not object to HYTA in this case.

State law allows a judge through HYTA to place a youth between 17 and 20 who is alleged to have committed a crime and who has pleaded guilty to that crime to be placed in prison or on probation without a conviction to avoid a criminal record, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. “Excluded from this program are youth who are charged with a felony for which the maximum punishment is life imprisonment, a major controlled substance offense or a traffic offense. This action protects the privacy of the offender while on trainee status. If the youth successfully completes the program, there is no criminal record. Imprisonment or probation cannot exceed three years.”

If Chupp is not eligible for HYTA, he would be allowed to withdraw his plea. As part of the plea agreement, Chupp’s jail time would be capped at one year.

Sentencing is set for June 22.