Convicted sex offender offered 37-80 year prison term in plea deal

Duwayne Simpson

Convicted sex offender offered 37-80 year prison term in plea deal

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor

LUDINGTON — A 63-year-old man who faces charges of first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) appeared in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Nov. 28, for a final trial conference.

Duwayne Simpson was convicted of third-degree CSC in Lake County and sentenced in 2007 to six to 22 ½ years in prison, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records. Simpson was discharged from prison in February of 2022.

Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Beth Hand offered a plea agreement Tuesday in which Simpson would serve a prison term of 37-80 years. Defense attorney Tracie Dinehart said her client is not willing to accept the offer and requested that the matter be set for trial.

Judge Susan K. Sniegowski said the offer would be off the table by the end of the day. “The attorneys can continue discussions today, but after today, the offer is gone.”

If Simpson continues to reject the offer, the case will be scheduled for a three-day trial. 

The maximum penalty for a first-degree CSC conviction is life in prison.

The charges stem from a March 14, 2023 incident, court records state.

Simpson, who is being prosecuted as a four-time habitual offender, is lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $100,000 cash/surety bond. 

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