A former Prescott man, aged 63, has been convicted on multiple charges, including four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, after a Hillsdale County jury verdict on February 4, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Attorney General. James Carter, who had moved to Georgia, assaulted a minor and accosted them for immoral purposes back in 2008 and is now facing a potential life sentence for the sexual conduct charges and an additional four-year felony charge, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
The Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel, commented on the conviction, highlighting the decades-long struggle for survivors seeking justice. "Sexual assault survivors carry the impact of these crimes for their entire lives, and seeking justice nearly two decades later takes extraordinary courage," Nessel stated, as reported by WNEM. Carter was initially charged in 2011 by the Hillsdale County Prosecuting Attorney's Office but has only been brought to justice over a decade later, showcasing the prolonged path towards accountability for such grievous actions.
Carter's extradition and trial were part of Operation Survivor Justice, a collaborative effort that involves the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service. This initiative is focused on locating and apprehending offenders out of state who have outstanding sexual assault warrants in Michigan. Carter was extradited back to Michigan in March 2025 specifically to face these charges.
The operation has been praised by Nessel for its effectiveness in bringing offenders to justice. "I am proud of the work my office and our Operation Survivor Justice partners have done to secure this conviction, and we will continue working alongside them to hold offenders accountable," Nessel said in an announcement echoed by WNEM. Carter is scheduled to be sentenced on March 19, by Judge Sara Lisznyai in the 1st Circuit Court, Hillsdale County.
