Brandon Twp – On May 20, 2004 lifelong Brandon Township resident Randy Ray Cooper stood before Chief Judge Nick Holowka of the 40th Circuit Court in Lapeer and plead guilty on two counts each of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct.
Cooper has remained free on two separate $100,000 personal bond since July 2003 for sexual crimes he allegedly committed in 2002.
Fourth degree criminal sexual conduct carries the least amount of prosecution of four charges for sexual crimes, including registering on the national sexual crime list along with a two year jail sentence, and/or a $500 fine, according to Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney Robert Shellig.
Cooper is pleading guilty to one case of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from a June 2003 incident for inappropriately touching a 12 year old girl.
At that time he was released on a $100,000 personal bond for a second degree criminal sexual conduct.
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.
In June, 2003 Cooper was arrested for alleged inappropriate touching of an 8 year old girl. At that time he was released on a $100,000 personal bond of the second degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charge.
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 Years Eve 2002.
According to Shellig, both charges carry a potential 15 year sentence, however a guilty plea of fourth degree Criminal Sexual Conduct will guarantee a punitive conviction in both cases.
‘With this plea he will be required to register as a sex offender with possible jail time,? said Shellig.
Currently Cooper has no criminal record, however should any charges be filed against him in the future, a second conviction would carry from one day to life in prison.
Cooper will be sentenced July 12.