Hart man sent to prison for molesting two girls.

Avila

Hart man sent to prison for molesting two girls.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART — A 40-year-old Hart man was sentenced to 42 months to 30 years in prison in 27th Circuit Court Monday, June 6, for molesting two girls — ages 11 and 13. 

Jose Adrian Avila, of 3609 N. Karen St., pleaded “no contest” April 11, to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of second-degree CSC.

Judge Bradley D. Lambrix set the maximum term of 30 years for the first count. Avila was sentenced concurrently to a term of two to 15 years for the second count. 

Avila admitted that he engaged in sexual activity of the girls in Hart Township during a time period between 2018 and 2021, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

One occurrence was sexual penetration of the the older child, and one was a touching incident involving the younger child.

Avila will be subject to lifetime electronic monitoring and will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. 

“There were variables that made the offense on the older child a CSC, first-degree, but the mandatory minimum (of 25 years) applies to cases when the victim is less than 13,” said Bizon. “The other case did not rise above a CSC second-degree. Mandatory minimums do not apply to CSC second-degree even when the victim is under 12.” 

A first-degree CSC conviction is punishable by up to life in prison, and second-degree CSC carries a 15-year maximum.

Avila was arrested by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Feb. 17, and his bail was set at $75,000/cash/surety/10 percent.

“I am grateful that the young victims will have an opportunity to heal,” said Bizon. “I am glad we were able to get a conviction for each of the victims.”

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