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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — A jury found a 37-year-old Rothbury man guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) Thursday, June 5, in Oceana County’s 51st Circuit Court.
Rodriguez-Flores
However, Ricardo Daniel Rodriguez-Flores was found not guilty of three counts of first-degree CSC.
Rodriguez-Flores, who was free on bond, was remanded to the Oceana County Jail following the verdict. “His bond was revoked pursuant to law after the verdict pending sentencing,” said Oceana County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Bizon.
The victim, who is now a 19-year-old woman, was aged 12 or 13 at the time of the assault, said Bizon. “This was crucial to the difference between first and third-degree offenses. We have no way of knowing how important that was to the jury.
“The sexual assault occurred at the defendant’s home in Rothbury,” said the prosecutor.
The victim testified at trial, he said. Rodriguez-Flores did not testify. Testimony in the trial lasted one afternoon.
Rodriguez-Flores could face a prison term with a minimum of three to five years. “My unofficial calculation I expect the guidelines to be 36-60 months for the minimum term. The statutory maximum is 15 years.”
The jury was selected Wednesday, June 4, and jurors heard testimony from three witnesses that afternoon. “We came back (Thursday) morning for closing arguments, jury instructions and deliberations.
“The jury deliberated approximately 5 hours and 12 minutes. There was a period, perhaps an hour, where the court provided lunch. It is unknown if the deliberations continued during lunch.
“I am grateful for diligent work and attention from the jury. This provides some sense of justice for the victim. She expressed to us that she is also grateful for this outcome.”
Sentencing is set for Aug. 25 at 9:20 a.m.
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