COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A man who fled to Mexico after being charged five years ago with numerous felonies in Branch County was arraigned on Wednesday in Branch County District Court.
The Branch County Prosecutors Office says 46-year-old Anthony Cuyler, who has a listed address of Angola, Indiana, was charged in 2019 in connection with multiple alleged criminal incidents.
Cuyler is charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine to a minor, three counts of First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Ammunition by a Felon.
He is being held in the Branch County Jail after bond was denied during his arraignment. A probable cause hearing was set for June 25 with a preliminary exam scheduled for July 2.
Prosecutor Zach Stempien said in a statement issued by his office that after charges were authorized, local law enforcement was unable to locate and arrest Cuyler.
Information was later received that he was potentially in Mexico. After local authorities were unsuccessful in locating and extraditing Cuyler, the investigator for the Prosecuting Attorney’s office requested assistance from various federal agencies.
In the meantime, the U.S. Marshals Service screened the case for prosecution under Operation Survivor Justice, the purpose of which is to provide justice for the victims of sex crimes in the state of Michigan.
The Marshals Service then launched a fugitive investigation into Cuyler’s whereabouts and during the investigation, they determined he was in Mexico.
The Defendant was later expelled from Mexico and arrested by the U.S. Marshals this past March. He was subsequently brought back to Michigan to face the Branch County criminal charges.
As part of Operation Survivor Justice, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office has offered to lead the
prosecution of this case.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says, “I am grateful for the efforts of all involved in this apprehension and extradition, and appreciative of local law enforcement, the Branch County prosecuting attorneys, and our U.S. Marshals Service for bringing this defendant home to face justice. This arrest would not have been possible without the U.S. Marshals Service, and we applaud their dedication to cold-case sexual assaults, and their service to victims through Operation Survivor Justice. I look forward to continuing this partnership under Operation Survivor Justice and am grateful for what these efforts will mean to victims of cold-case assaults in Michigan, in this case and hopefully many more to come.”
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