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Merrill
Jury finds man guilty of sexually assaulting 11-year-old girl
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor
HART — It took a 12-member jury just 20 minutes to render a guilty verdict for a 58-year-old Muskegon man accused of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Thursday, Oct. 19, after a two-day trial, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.
Curtis Warren Merrill, of 1650 Dyson St., was immediately taken into custody after his $2,500 surety bond was revoked following the verdict, said the prosecutor.
Merrill sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in Rothbury in 2020. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the conviction, and sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
“The victim was grateful to see the defendant taken into custody after having bond revoked after the verdict,” said Bizon.
Merrill will be required to register as a sex offender.
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