Muskegon man faces 10-15 years in prison for CSC.

Chapman appears in court Monday via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19 precautions.

Muskegon man faces 10-15 years in prison for CSC.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 25-year-old Muskegon man faces a prison term of 10-15 years after pleading “no contest” to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Dec. 20.

Jermaine Lamar Chapman, of 2425 McIlwrath, is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail on a $1.5 million bond on CSC charges in connection to a case involving sexual assaults of a preteen girl by several men that occured in the summer of 2020 at a Grant Township home and in Muskegon County.

Chapman appeared in court Monday via Zoom video conferencing due to COVID-19 restrictions.

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

Also convicted in the case are Robert Iree Mallard, 23, and Dwight Bernard McKinney, 18, both of Muskegon. Mallard was sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for a conviction of third-degree CSC in 27th Circuit Court, Oct. 4. He pleaded guilty July 12. McKinney was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for third-degree CSC in 27th Circuit Court, Oct. 18, after pleading guilty, July 26. 

The maximum penalty for third-degree CSC is 15 years in prison.

The victim and her family are in agreement with Chapman’s sentence, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. His sentencing is set for Feb. 14 at 10 a.m.

The massive investigation began July 23, 2020 when an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a Grant Township residence, Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast previously said.

The victim’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.

Quonteravious Moffett, 19, of Muskegon faces one count of third-degree CSC in Muskegon County. Moffett remains lodged in the Muskegon County Jail, and his next court appearance is set for Jan. 22.

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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