Downstate man sentenced to prison after 8-count CSC jury conviction

LAKE CITY — A 32-year-old Madison Heights man has filed an appeal but is headed to prison after a 28th Circuit Court jury in Missaukee County convicted him of eight criminal sexual conduct-related offenses earlier this fall.

On Monday, Timothy James Edwards was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison and up to 50 years in prison for three jury convictions to first-degree CSC person under 13 and defendant over 17 with 105 days credit and at least 88 months in prison and up to 22.5 years with 105 days credit for jury convictions to five counts of second-degree CSC person under 13 and defendant over 17 for his connection with incidents occurring in or between the years of 2010 and 2015 in Lake City. He also was sentenced as a second-offense habitual offender.

Edwards originally was sentenced to up to life in prison on Monday for the three first-degree CSC offenses, but 28th Circuit Court Judge Jason Elmore opted on Tuesday to provide a maximum term instead of just saying life in prison.

Missaukee County Prosecutor David Den Houten previously said the incidents Edwards was convicted of involved two victims between the ages of 5 and 9. Before the trial, Den Houten said two counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes were dismissed due to the statute of limitations, but the CSC counts have a longer statute of limitations.

Edwards also was ordered to pay $1,274 in fines, which are to be paid as a condition of parole. Collection may begin while in prison. An appeal in this case has been filed on behalf of Edwards.

Den Houten said Tuesday that Edwards is related to the victims. The victims are siblings and Edwards would watch the children while the parents would run errands.

Den Houten also credited the jury for the time they devoted to the case.

“Criminal sexual conduct cases are the hardest type of cases to hear. I would also like to say that the prosecution demonstrates my office’s commitment to prioritize criminal sexual assault cases even when reporting is delayed,” he said.

Once the prosecution and defense rested, and instructions were given, it took the jury approximately 51 minutes to reach its verdict for all eight counts during the September trial. Den Houten’s office previously said the verdicts were the result of joint efforts of the Houghton Lake and Metro North Michigan State Police Posts.