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Alltop
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — A 61-year-old West Virginia man faces a 25-year mandatory minimum prison term after a jury found him guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) and second-degree CSC in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The jury deliberated for 17 minutes before coming back to the courtroom with a guilty verdict for Charles Vernon Alltop, said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon. The trial lasted one day.
The victim in the case was an 8-year-old girl, who is now 16, said Bizon. “The incident occurred around her eighth birthday,” he said.
“The assault occurred between Pentwater Township and Crystal Township. Due to the age of the victim and children’s understandable difficulties with arbitrary geographical boundaries, this was not well defined.”
Alltop, who was extradited from West Virginia, and been lodged in the Oceana County Jail since.
“I am very happy for the victim,” said Bizon. “From the very beginning of this case, she was involved and cooperative. At the same time she was patient and understanding that this would take time. She was pleasant to work with. My staff really enjoyed working with and for this victim. We are grateful she is able to find some level of comfort in this matter being resolved with a conviction.
“By statute, he will be sentenced to 25 years to life. Life means the judge will set the upper limit of his indeterminate sentence. The second count will be sentenced to be served concurrently (at the same time) as the first count.”
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