Jury deliberates for 7 hours before reaching guilty verdict in CSC case.

Bradley

Jury deliberates for 7 hours before reaching guilty verdict in CSC case.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A jury deliberated for seven hours before reaching a guilty verdict in a criminal sexual conduct case this week in Oceana County’s 27th Circuit Court.

David Lee Bradley, 66, of 140th Ave., Hesperia, was found guilty Thursday, June 17, of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is a high-court misdemeanor.

The incident occurred last summer near the Hesperia Dam, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. The victim, who is a 16-year-old boy, testified that he was touched by Bradley at the end of a fishing excursion. The victim had some bug bites on his legs, and Bradley placed his hands on the boys’ thigh and reached towards his genitals, said Bizon. Bradley had also sent the boy inappropriate text messages, he said.

The boy was working for relatives and met Bradley who was a caretaker for them. He invited the boy to go fishing.

Bradley, who has no prior criminal record, faces up to two years in prison for the conviction. Sentencing guidelines were initially scored at 0-9 months, said Bizon. With the new justice reform package, Bradley qualifies for a “intermediate sanction,” which means no jail time. However, Judge Robert D. Springstead can decide to depart from the intermediate punishment. 

The trial took place at the new West Michigan Research Center on Oceana Drive in Weare Township due to COVID-19 restrictions. Testimony lasted approximately one and a half hours, said Bizon.

The trial was delayed several months mainly due to COVID-19, he said.

“I’m really proud of this victim for coming forward and testifying,” said Bizon. “He’s an incredibly great kid.” 

The prosecutor said he is extremely grateful to Det. Mark Hiddema of the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office for his work on the case and 27th Circuit Court Administrator Tonya Selig for her work in preparing the off-site venue.

Bradley will have to register as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.

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