A Flint man has been convicted of brutally sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter. Terry Lee Horne, 32, was found guilty by a jury on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, based on events that unfolded in the spring of 2019, as reported by WJRT. The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office has declared that Horne will face a hard minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for his actions, with the possibility of two consecutive sentences totaling 50 years, or up to life behind bars.
During the trial, evidence brought to light by the Michigan State Police indicated that Horne admitted to committing two sexual assaults, although the young victim claimed there were more incidents, as noted by WNEM. Prosecutor David Leyton stressed the inexcusability of child abuse in any form, denouncing the actions by adults to sexually exploit children as "appalling and one of the worst crimes on the books which is why the convictions in this case carry a mandatory minimum sentence."
The convicted was living with his girlfriend and her four children, including the 12-year-old, at the time the crimes took place. This traumatic revelation shatters the presumption of safety one would expect in the sanctity of a family home. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, in a statement retrieved by CBS News Detroit, voiced his gratitude for being able to bring justice to the case. He highlighted the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Jonathan Poulos and the combined support of numerous advocacy groups and law enforcement personnel in securing the conviction.
