Third suspect charged in CSC case.

Chapman

Third suspect charged in CSC case.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A third suspect has been charged with a felony of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) in connection to a case involving alleged sexual assaults of a preteen girl by several men. 

The investigation was conducted by a multi-jurisdictional task force including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Jermaine Lamar Chapman, 24, of 2425 McIlwrath, Muskegon, was arrested by the Michigan State Police. Chapman faces a first-degree CSC charge and two charges of second-degree CSC in Muskegon County in the connection to the case. He is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail on a $1.5 million total cash/surety bond, according to jail records.

Chapman has a preliminary exam in 78th District Court set for Feb. 16 at 3 p.m.

Also charged in the case are Robert Iree Mallard, 23, and Dwight Bernard McKinney, 17, both of Muskegon. Mallard faces one count of first-degree CSC, and McKinney faces three counts of first-degree CSC.

A first-degree CSC conviction is punishable by up to life in prison.

Mallard’s case is scheduled to go to trial in 51st Circuit Court May 12 and 13. He also faces a first-degree CSC charge in Muskegon County in connection to the case. McKinney’s case has been bound over to circuit court. 

The massive investigation began July 23 at 6:30 a.m. when an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a Grant Township residence, Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast previously said.

The girl’s father saw what appeared to be a man’s legs in his daughter’s bed. The male ran from the residence, and the dad called police. That incident prompted an investigation that the girl was sexually assaulted by several men. Evidence was uncovered indicating that the men would sneak out through the bedroom window and give the girl alcohol and drugs while sexually assaulting her. Evidence also indicated that the girl would sneak out of the house through her bedroom window and leave with the men. The girl was allegedly threatened if she told anyone, police said, because there were videos she didn’t want anyone to see.

“The investigation overturned substantial amounts of evidence implicating the suspects,” said Sheriff Mast previously. “The investigation snowballed.”

A task force involving both sheriff’s offices from Oceana and Muskegon counties, the Michigan State Police and the FBI were involved.

The MSP trafficking task force was also involved in the investigation, previously said Det./Sgt. Matt Nobliski.

“This is a fairly large investigation,” Nobliski said. “Our involvement came back on the 23rd of July. It involves multiple counties. We’re all working to bring it to a successful investigation and prosecution.”

Mallard remains lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $75,000/cash/surety/10 percent bond, Bizon said. McKinney was released from jail after posting a $75,000/cash/surety bond. 

Quonteravious Moffett, 19, of Muskegon faces one count of third-degree CSC in Muskegon County.

The male who fled the home when startled by the father was a 16-year-old who was not accused of any crimes.

The girl met one of the suspects through social media.

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