Dowagiac man facing 25 years in prison for assaulting 13-year-old
Published 9:22 am Thursday, February 2, 2017
A Dowagiac man will face at least 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of criminal sexual conduct earlier this week, according to a release from the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.
James White Jr., 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and a count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct during an appearance in Cass County Monday. The two first-degree charges carry a mandatory 25-year prison sentence.
The charges against White stem from sexual abuse he committed against a 13-year-old child, who White was living with at Downey Street in Silver Creek Township, during the second half of 2016.
James White Jr.
Detectives with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation into the assaults.
As part of a plea agreement with the prosecutor’s office, two additional second-degree and additional fourth-degree criminal sexual assault charges were dismissed. White will also serve the sentences for the four counts he pleaded guilty to simultaneously, another condition of the deal.
White will not be eligible for parole for 25 years, per Michigan’s Truth in Sentencing laws.
The defendant is due to appear before Cass County Circuit Judge Mark Herman for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 24.
