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Christopher Eitniear with his attorney, Gary Springstead.
CSC victim scolds perpetrator.
#OceanaCountyNews #CourtNews
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART — The victim in a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) case lashed out at the 50-year-old Hesperia man who sexually assaulted her during an emotionally-charged allocution Monday, June 5, in 27th Circuit Court.
Christopher Ora Eitniear, of 8864 Loop Rd., pleaded “no contest” last April to fourth-degree CSC, which is a high-court misdemeanor.
“I hate what you’ve done to me, and I hate you,” the victim said to Eitniear.
Eitniear was also facing one felony count of third-degree CSC, as well as a felony count of absconding or forfeiting bond. Those charges were dismissed in a plea agreement.
Eitniear was considered “missing” last December, but he was later found in California and brought back to Michigan and lodged in the Oceana County Jail.
Judge Bradley G. Lambrix sentenced Eitniear to serve 159 days up front of a nine-month discretionary jail term with credit for 159 days served; five years probation; and sex offender registration.
Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon provided two options to which Eitniear could plead. The first option, which Eitniear chose, included being released from jail at the time of sentencing, but having to register as a sex offender. The second option called for a prison term of one year and one day, but not registering as a sex offender. Option 2 called for pleading to second-degree child abuse.
The victim said the sexual abuse went on for five years until it was finally reported. She tearfully described how Eitniear “manipulated, controlled and groomed” her.
“I was was your secret, and I was a sick pleasure to you,” she said. “I ask what drove you to commit these sick acts on me? I will never understand what made you think it was OK to sexually abuse me for five years. All of this is the definition of power control.”
The victim said that she became suicidal and was hospitalized four times. She has been diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
“You used me for your own pleasure,” she said. “You took my innocence. Every day was a nightmare. You can live in denial all you want, but this was my reality.”
The victim recalled an incident when Eitniear made her a drink, which caused her to become sleepy. She passed out, and when she woke up, she was naked.
Lambrix described Eitniear’s actions as “reprehensible conduct, and it can’t be undone. The judge said he was “very saddened” that he changed the victim’s life forever.
Bizon said he worked closely with the victim to work out a resolution. The sentence exceeds the midpoint of the sentencing guidelines, he said.
Eitniear’s attorney, Gary Springstead, said his client has a long, successful work history and a very limited criminal record.
This story is copyrighted © 2017, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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