Oakland County man, 21, accused of sexually assaulting four boys

[Artaxerxes II]

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/wa ... ting-boys/

(CBS DETROIT) — A 21-year-old Waterford Township man is facing second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges after police say he sexually assaulted four boys.
Waterford police say detectives arrested Logan Sutherland at his house on Tuesday. Detectives went to his home to investigate a criminal sexual conduct complaint involving a 10-year-old boy. Police say Sutherland had spent time alone with the boy on as many as 40 occasions between 2021 and 2023.

Three other victims have come forward since the arrest. Police say these victims were assaulted in several locations, including Sutherland's home, ZapZone, Sportway and SkyZone in Commerce Township.
All four victims knew Sutherland. Police say he "befriended parents with young boys, gained their confidence and used their trust to spend time alone and sexually assault the children."
Detectives seized Sutherland's cell phone at the time of the arrest and found pictures and videos of naked boys. Police say photos depicted several boys who were not the four victims who have come forward.

Waterford police are asking anyone who has children who may have spent time with Sutherland to call Detective Rachel White at 248-618-6122.
The 21-year-old is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. He also faces two counts of possessing child sexually abusive material.

As of Friday evening, Sutherland was incarcerated at Oakland County jail. His bond was set at $100,000. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

[Artaxerxes II]

By the way, this is what is meant by "second-degree criminal sexual conduct":

Criminal sexual conduct in the second degree includes sexual contact with any child younger than 13 or a child between the ages of 13 and 16 when the adult is:

•a member of the child's family or household
•the child's relative
•a teacher or in some other position of authority over the child where that authority is used to coerce the victim, or
•the child's foster care provider at the time the sexual contact occurred.

This offense is a felony and carries up to 15 years in prison.

Source: https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/r ... e-laws.htm

In other words, it's just "statutory rape" (i.e., any sex with someone below the magic age of consent line), except it's "second-degree" because the minor is below some arbitrary age that is below the age of consent.

[Fragment]

A lot of jurisdictions seem to make sexual contact with a minor under 12 or 13 into a more serious offence.

I agree that drawing a line at 12 may be sensible. But not with this level of sentencing.