Ludington man pleads ‘no contest’ to 4th-degree CSC.

Michael Battice with his attorney, David Glancy.

Ludington man pleads ‘no contest’ to 4th-degree CSC.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 25-year-old Ludington man pleaded “no contest” Tuesday, Dec. 13, in 51st Circuit Court to a high-court misdemeanor of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC).

Michael Frank Battice, of 905 S. Madison Ave., was set to go to trial Wednesday, Dec. 14, facing two felony counts of third-degree CSC, each of which are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Battice accepted a plea agreement Tuesday instead of going to trial.

The plea agreement calls for Battice serving four months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term, said Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola. The two third-degree CSC counts were dismissed in exchange for Battice’s plea to fourth-degree CSC. He will have to register as a tier-one sex offender, Spaniola said.

The charge stems from a March 7 incident at a residence on Sherman Oaks Drive, said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. The 21-year-old female victim had fallen asleep, and when she woke up, she discovered someone was sexually assaulting her. Initially, the victim thought it was her boyfriend until she pulled up the blankets and realized it was Battice.

The maximum sentence for fourth-degree CSC is two years in prison, Spaniola said.

At the conclusion of a successful probation term, Battice may enter plea to aggravated assault, a conviction of which does not require sex offender registration, the prosecutor said.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 17 at 1:15 p.m.