A Branch County man, Alex New, 55, has been convicted on charges of sexually assaulting a minor after being extradited from Florida to Michigan, as per an announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The Branch County jury found New guilty of two counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. New evaded authorities following his initial charging in 2016 and was only recently returned to Michigan to face justice.
New has been a fugitive since the allegations first emerged, successfully avoiding capture until June of 2024 when he was located in Florida. His return was facilitated by Operation Survivor Justice—a collaborative effort between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service, which focuses on apprehending sexual assault fugitives with outstanding warrants. According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, this operation played a crucial role in bringing New to justice.
"After nearly a decade, justice has finally been served in this case, thanks to the extraordinary courage of the victim to come forward at such a young age and Operation Survivor Justice," Nessel said. She also affirmed her department's commitment to continue working diligently on these cases, as per the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
A sentence for New is scheduled to be handed down by Judge P. William O'Grady in the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County on August 11. The conviction concludes a long-standing effort to hold New accountable for the crimes he committed against a minor, after years in hiding from the law enforcement community. With his extradition and subsequent conviction, the victim and the community await the final stage of this legal process, offering a close to a chapter marked by evasion and delayed justice.
