Huron County Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski is praising the bravery of a teenage girl following the Wednesday conviction of her abuser.
40-year-old Raymond Peyerk of Filion was convicted on Wednesday, January 10, on one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) in the 3rd Degree and 10 counts of CSC in the 4th Degree. The conviction came after an hour of deliberation following a two-day jury trial in the 52nd Circuit Court.
CSC 3rd is a felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The charges arose almost a year ago after Peyerk criminally assaulted his girlfriend’s teenage daughter on February 20, 2023, the culmination of criminal assaults that had grown in intensity over the prior eighteen months. With the minor reporting the crime to a trusted coach and agreeing to undergo an examination to collect evidence, Peyerk was charged the next day, February 21, 2023 with one count of third degree CSC and two counts of fourth degree CSC.
The two counts were increased to a total of ten after Huron County District Court Judge David Herrington heard evidence at Peyerk’s preliminary examination.
A total of 11 witnesses testified during the two-day trial, with the jury hearing from the minor and Michigan State Police DNA experts. Following the verdict, Huron County Circuit Court Judge Gerald Prill revoked the Defendant’s bond, and scheduled sentencing for March 4, 2024.
