COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Saginaw man who entered no contest pleas to a pair of sex charges on December 6 was sentenced on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court.
21-year-old Skyler Rathburn was ordered to serve three to 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections after entering his pleas to charges of second degree criminal sexual conduct and third degree criminal sexual conduct. He must also register as a sex offender with the State of Michigan for life.
Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien said in a statement released by his office, “Cases involving Criminal Sexual Conduct often times present the most difficult considerations as they often involve family members, close friends, or significant others who have differing opinions regarding the resolution of the case and require testimony regarding a very sensitive topic. This case presented such unique difficulties.”
Stempien said the plea to the crimes was appropriate adding, “It was previously reported thatthe plea offer in this matter was changed from a plea made by a prior administration, which was necessary because the prior plea offer is not allowed by Michigan law, creating an immediate appealable issue.
Rathburn was charged followed a Coldwater Police Department investigation in connection with incidents that took place sometime between December 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020.
According to court documents, the victim in the case was a girl who was nine-years-old at the time.
Differing opinions. Yea, I have one. It was a nine-year-old, protect society and give him at least 15 years!