A Flint man has been handed down a hefty prison sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor. Swahitti Kying Watson, 53, will serve more than 75 years behind bars for a series of assaults that occurred in 2017 and 2018. According to CBS News Detroit, Watson was found guilty last month of three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct against a person under the age of 13, in addition to exhibiting sexually explicit material to a minor.
Prosecutors detailed how Watson, a family friend, was permitted to take the victim to the store but instead took her to an alternate location to carry out the assaults and show her pornographic videos. Watson was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years for each first-degree charge, to be served consecutively, and 12 years for each second-degree charge, to be served concurrently. He will also serve an additional 18 months for the sexually explicit material charge, reports ABC12.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton expressed relief at the sentencing. "Today justice was served. Today, Swahitti Watson was sentenced to what is essentially a life sentence for his abhorrent actions," Leyton said, as quoted by WNEM. Leyton went on to commend the victim's courage for confronting her abuser and enduring the pressures and traumas that came along with the trial.
The case has garnered attention for the severity of Watson's crimes and the length of the sentence received, reflecting an understanding within the legal system to seemingly not take lightly offenses committed against children. As the community processes the outcome, Leyton's words stand as a tribute to the bravery of young victims who dare to come forward against those who have wronged them.
