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Jordan Howard
Teen sent to prison for impregnating 12-year-old girl.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART – An 18-year-old Mears man was sentenced to 18 months to 15 years in prison for a felony conviction of third-degree criminal sexual conduct Monday, Oct. 22, in 27th Circuit Court.
Jordan Joseph Howard, of 3238 N. Ridge Rd., impregnated a 12-year-old girl “who had to undergo a procedure of an abortion,” said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.
Howard was arrested last May by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for first-degree CSC. Had he been convicted of the more serious charge, he would have received a mandatory minimum prison term of 25 years and would have been subjected to lifetime electronic monitoring.
Jordan Howard with attorney Terry Shaw.
Howard’s defense attorney, Terry Shaw, argued for a one-year jail term. Bizon vehemently opposed a lighter sentence. “Twelve months is not enough,” he said.
“This defendant is not that mature,” Shaw said. “He’s still in high school.”
Bizon said there were multiple occasions of sexual encounters involving penetration, but Shaw said he did not believe there were. “No one forced her to get an abortion,” he added.
“I understand where Mr. Bizon is coming from,” said Judge Robert D. Springstead. “This is a crime that the legislature has determined to be very serious – hence the 25-year minimum (for first-degree CSC). That is intended to prevent this – a young girl having a child. It’s a decision that should be reserved for adults, and should not be for a 12-year-old child.”
The judge gave Howard credit for one day served in jail. He will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 12-20 months.
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