Bay Mills Indian Community Member Found Guilty of Abusive Sexual Contact
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 06, 2009 |
MARQUETTE, MI—Justin Thomas Skipper, 22, of Brimley, Michigan, was found guilty of abusive sexual contact following a two-day jury trial presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today.
Skipper lived on the Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation, located in Brimley, Michigan. According to testimony and exhibits, Skipper, while at his residence, engaged in sexual contact with a person who was physically incapable of consent in an attempt to abuse or humiliate the victim. The victim related the incident, which took place in March of this year, to tribal police who initiated the investigation in this case.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2010, before Judge Bell, in Marquette, Michigan. Skipper faces up to three years’ imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, mandatory restitution to the victim, and registration as a Sexual Offender.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the Bay Mills Tribal Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sault Ste. Marie office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their investigative work on the case. Prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff J. Davis.