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Daniel Durbin. Note: Photograph has been manipulated to remove audience members.
Jury finds Holton man guilty on all six counts in CSC trial.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART — A 12-member jury found a 34-year-old Holton man guilty on all six counts in a criminal sexual conduct case in 27th Circuit Court Thursday, April 12.
Daniel James Durbin, of 9260 S. 180th Ave., now stands convicted of two felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC), each of which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison; two felony counts of accosting children for immoral purposes, each of which carry a four-year maximum; one felony count of committing gross indecency between a male and female, which is punishable by up to five years in prison; one high-court misdemeanor of fourth-degree CSC, which carries a two-year maximum; and third-offense habitual offender.
The jury heard emotional testimony from the victims, who are three girls in their early teens, during the trial Wednesday.
Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said he was extremely proud of the girls. “Three teenage girls exhibited exemplary bravery and courage,” Bizon said. “They wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen to another girl.”
Bizon extended his gratitude to the girls, as well as Detective Rich Parmer of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Child Protective Services Investigator for the Department of Health and Human Services Shelbie LeRoux and his office staff.
Durbin, who is lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $50,000 cash bond, exercised his right to remain silent and did not testify. He was represented by Defense Attorney Richard Prysock.
The jury, which included seven women and five men, was released to deliberate at 10:45 a.m., and returned shortly after lunch with a guilty verdict.
Co-defendant Ericka Lee Byler, who was Durbin’s girlfriend, was sentenced to serve six months up front of a nine-month discretionary jail term for her involvement in the case. Byler, who pleaded “no contest,” is convicted of accessory after the fact. She had no prior criminal record.
Judge Anthony A. Monton, who retired last year, presided over the trial due to scheduling conflicts for Judge Robert D. Springstead.
The sex crimes occurred in Greenwood Township near Hesperia during a time period of Aug. 1, 2016 to July 2, 2017.
According to the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), Durbin has served three previous prison terms. He was sentenced in 2004 in Ingham County to a three-year maximum sentence for malicious destruction of property to a building $1,000-$20,000. In 2010, he was sentenced in Oceana County to a maximum term of two years for a conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon. Durbin also served a one-year maximum sentence in 2015 for a conviction of maintaining a drug house in Isabella County.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 21 at 8:30 a.m.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, 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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