A Sterling Heights man, Larry Devere Middleton, aged 33, has been sentenced to 25 to 75 years in prison for sexually assaulting a girl under 13 years old on several occasions in 2023, with additional requirements for sex offender registration and lifetime electronic monitoring post-release, as reported by the Detroit News.

The sentencing, delivered by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh, arrived nearly two months after a jury found Middleton guilty on multiple counts, including two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old. One count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years old, one count of criminal sexual conduct-assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, and one count of indecent exposure, the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office communicated in a social media post, he will serve his sentences for the lesser charges concurrently with the criminal sexual conduct conviction.

While representing the severity of the offenses, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido stated, "This sentence reflects the severity of these crimes and ensures that this man will no longer be able to harm innocent children," and "My office remains dedicated to seeking justice for victims and holding offenders accountable," according to a post on the Macomb County Prosecutor's Facebook page.

Middleton's conviction followed a four-day jury trial led by Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Laws. The trial concluded with a comprehensive guilty verdict for the graveness of the offenses, which included up to life imprisonment for the first-degree charges along with additional sentences. Middleton's attorney, however, was not immediately available to provide comments on the ruling.