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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 51-year-old man pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree CSC on the second day of his criminal trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Raymond Draper sexually assaulted two young girls who are related to him, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
Draper
“The children were 6 and 8 at the time of the offenses,” said Prosecutor Hand. “In reality, his actions victimized the entire family.”
Draper entered his plea the day after a jury was selected in the case, said Hand. “The jury selection took the entire day.” There is no sentencing agreement in the case.
The offense dates in the case are Oct. 1, 2025 for the first count and July 2, 2025 for the second two counts.
“Count 1 is a life offense with a mandatory sentence of 25 years,” said Hand. “The defendant is a habitual fourth offender. Counts 2 and 3 carry a 15-year maximum, but with the habitual fourth, the court can sentence up to life on those counts as well.
“These little girls are extremely brave,” said the prosecutor. “I am thankful their perpetrator will be held accountable for the pain and suffering he has caused these children and their family. His plea today prevents these very young victims from having to share their horrible experience with a group of strangers. Counts 2 and 3 were captured on an in-home surveillance video. The offense charged in count 1 was witnessed by the victims’ oldest sister who was able to corroborate, in part, her baby sister’s recollection of the assault. I appreciate the thorough investigation and time commitment of the Mason County Sheriff Department’s detective in charge of this case in bringing forth this case for charging. His continued follow-through during preparation for trial was unwavering. This case, and others like it, would not be prosecutable without the collaboration of such dedicated law enforcement officers.
“I would be remiss not to express my gratitude for the important role the Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center in Ludington played in this investigation, and so many others. The center is a place where these victims and other child victims can go to tell their story in a safe environment. The skilled and caring forensic interviewers allow child victims to express themselves without judgement or an attempt to sway their truth. A big thank you for their role in bringing this perpetrator to justice.”
Draper remains lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $50,000 cash/surety bond awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 10:30 a.m.
This is the second time this month that a defendant facing CSC charges pleaded no contest on the second day of trial in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.
Shawn Ryan Borah, 41, pleaded no contest to four counts of third-degree CSC, one count of domestic violence, one count of interfering with electronic communications, one count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police and fourth-offense habitual offender, Aug. 6. Borah is scheduled for sentencing Oct. 7 at 4 p.m.
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