Hesperia man faces 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting child.

Robert Cupps with his attorney, Timothy Hayes.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — A 38-year-old Hesperia man who pleaded “no contest” Wednesday, July 6, in 27th Circuit Court to first-degree criminal sexual conduct faces a minimum of 20 years in prison.

Robert Eric Cupps, of 7524 E. M 20, will be subject to lifetime electronic monitoring upon release from prison. In exchange for his “no contest” plea, a fourth-offense habitual offender designation was dismissed. The plea agreement calls for a minimum 20-year prison term, said Judge Anthony A. Monton.

Cupps, who was paroled from prison Feb. 18, was arrested three days later by the Hart post of the Michigan State Police for the felony charge that carries a maximum life sentence.

His arrest stems from repeatedly raping a young girl who was 6 or 7 years old at the time in the Village of Hesperia in 2003, according to his court file.

Cupps was incarcerated in the Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson for a conviction of felon in possession of a firearm, serving an April 8, 2014 Newaygo County sentence of one-and-a-half to 10 years.

The horrific details of the repeated sexual assaults of the young girl are outlined in a supplemental report from Newaygo County Child Protective Services that is attached to the police report in Cupps’ court file.

Cupps coerced the girl to perform oral sex and fondle his penis, often using a blindfold.

According to the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), Cupps has a previous conviction of surveilling an unclothed person in Oceana County and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison in August of 2010.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 9 a.m.