Lansing attorney pleads ‘no contest’ to 2nd-degree child abuse.

David Anderson, at left, with his attorney, Gary Springstead, during a hearing last October.

LUDINGTON — Lansing-area attorney David James Anderson, 63, who pleaded  “no contest” to attempted second-degree child abuse in 51st Circuit Court Thursday Jan. 7, faces six months in jail.  

The plea was tendered pursuant to a plea agreement in which two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct are to be dismissed at sentencing, according to a press release issued by Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola Friday, Jan. 8.

“A no contest plea is treated by the court the same as a guilty plea for purposes of a criminal conviction,” the press release states. “Those charges involved two separate incidents of sexual contact with a 12-year-old minor while at a hunting lodge in Sherman Township, Mason County in November, 2014. To provide a factual basis to support the no contest plea, Judge Susan K. Sniegowski read a portion of the report from the Michigan State Police, Cadillac Post, which indicated the nature of the physical abuse of the child.  

“The plea agreement between Mr. Anderson, Defense Attorney Gary Springstead, and Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola further provides that the defendant is to serve a term of up to six months in the Mason County Jail; be placed on probation; and be subject to the recommendations of a sex offender specific psychological evaluation.”

Attempted second-degree child abuse is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Sentencing is set for Tuesday, March 1, at 3:30 p.m. Anderson is free on a $15,000/10 percent bond.