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Russell
Russell repeatedly engaged in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old girl who he lied to, telling her he was 18.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 22-year-old Ludington man was sentenced to 6 ½ to 22 ½ years in prison Tuesday, June 17, for a conviction of third-degree criminal sexual conduct — force or coercion.
Caleb Isiah Russell, pleaded guilty to the charge Jan. 28. Russell was on probation for a high-court misdemeanor conviction of fourth-degree CSC — victim aged 13-15 and received a concurrent probation violation term of 16 months to two years in prison.
Russell’s sentencing guidelines were 78-162 months (6 ½ to 14 ⅓ years), said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand. Sentencing guidelines help determine the minimum end of the term, while the maximum is set by statute. The maximum penalty for third-degree CSC is 15 years in prison.
Hand said there was a Cobbs agreement with the court and the defendant that called for a recommendation at the lower end of the guidelines. The prosecutor said she was asking for the minimum term to be “more in the middle of the guidelines instead of the bottom.
“This is an individual who has been in the criminal justice system since 2018 beginning as a juvenile.”
He engaged in sexual conduct with a 13-year-old girl during “repeated contacts with her,” said the prosecutor. “He lied to her and told her he was 18.
Russell received credit for 395 days served in jail in the third-degree CSC case and credit for 657 days served in jail in the probation violation case.
He is a registered sex offender.
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