Brandon Twp. – On July 12, Randy Ray Cooper avoided another threat to be imprisoned for sexual misconduct.
Prosecuting Attorney Bob Shillig says sentencing was delayed until Aug. 3, because Cooper’s attorney filed objections due to concerns with probation guidelines.
Cooper, who remains free for more than a year on two separate $100,000 personal bonds, was arrested in 2002, for alleged criminal sexual misconduct.
On May 20, 2004 Cooper stood before 40th District Court Judge John Connolly and pled guilty of two counts each, of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct which will earn him a spot on the national sex offender registry for life.
In the first offense, Cooper plead guilty to fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from a June 2003 incident of inappropriately touching a 12-year- old girl.
At that time he was released on a $100,000 personal bond for a second degree CSC.
In September 2003, while leaving the courtroom, he was arrested on a second charge for the attempted rape of a 21-year-old woman in January 2002.
He was released the next day on another $100,000 personal bond.
During the investigation of the original charge from the 12-year-old, the 21-year-old Lapeer woman came forward alleging Cooper forcefully held her down and attempted to rape her on New Year’s Eve, 2002.
Shellig says both charges carry a potential 15- year sentence, however a guilty plea of fourth degree CSC will guarantee a punitive conviction in both cases.
Fourth degree criminal sexual conduct carries the least amount of prosecution of sexual crimes, including registering on the national sexual crime list, along with a possible two year jail sentence, and/or a $500 fine, says Lapeer Prosecuting Attorney Robert Shellig.
Currently Cooper has no criminal record, however should any further charges be filed against him in the future a second conviction would carry from one day to life in prison.
Shillig says Cooper’s sentencing will be held on Aug. 2, without further delay, and that Cooper is probably looking at a one year sentence.