Man Gets Prison For Years-Long Sexual Assault Involving Girl At Farm
CASSOPOLIS (WWJ/AP) - A 68-year-old southwestern Michigan man who authorities say sexually assaulted a girl for seven years at a rural farm will spend up to 45 years in prison.
Leon Watson of Vandalia was sentenced Friday in Cass County Circuit Court, The South Bend Tribune reported.
A jury convicted Watson in March of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Watson, who testified at trial, denied any wrongdoing.
Authorities say the girl was 7-years-old when the assaults began in 2007 and about 14 when they ended after she confided to friends and a school counselor. She testified during the trial about the assaults, which authorities say took place at his farm.
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