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Duwayne Simpson
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 64-year-old man was sentenced to a minimum of nearly 42 years in prison in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 10, for the “brutal rape” of a woman in 2023.
Duwayne Simpson was sentenced to 500 months (41 2/3 years) to 75 years for first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC); 290 months to 40 years for first-degree home invasion; 152 months to 40 years for assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder; and 60 months to 15 years for assault with a dangerous weapon. He was prosecuted as a four-time habitual offender.
Simpson’s case was set to go to trial, but he pleaded “no contest” to all charges Oct. 11 on the eve of his trial, said Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
“He brutally raped (the victim),” said Hand. “He hit her in the head with a brick; dragged her downstairs; and raped her.”
When the victim escaped from Simpson, she ran to the neighbors’ house as he chased her with a 2-by-4 piece of lumber, the prosecutor said. “This is a horrific crime. This will affect her for the rest of her life.” The rape occurred in the City of Ludington.
“She had known him, and at that point had ended the relationship, but the defendant clearly did not take her seriously and forced himself on her. This is the most brutal rape that I’ve seen.”
Simpson is no stranger to the prison system and will now likely spend the rest of his days behind bars. He has nine prior felony convictions and 26 misdemeanors, said Hand.
“Looking at your criminal history, as well as the circumstances and facts of this case, you should never get out of prison,” said Judge Susan K. Sniegowski. “You should be in prison for the rest of your life.”
He had been discharged from prison in 2022 about a year before the rape after serving 15 years of a six to 22 ½ year term for a Lake County conviction of third-degree CSC, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records.
Simpson’s attorney Ravi Gurumurthy said his client took responsibility for his actions and doesn’t deny his criminal history.
Simpson addressed the court, but was difficult to understand. “Everything is put off on Simpson. It takes two to do. I didn’t do this, Your Honor.” He mentioned that he has lost many family members and has only has one brother left.
Judge Sniegowski noted Simpson’s extensive criminal history, which includes an attempted rape and residential burglary in Illinois in 1982; aggravated assault in 1989; five counts initially of aggravated criminal sexual conduct in 1993, which resulted in a six-year prison term with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Simpson has multiple offenses of failure to register as a sex offender, said the judge.
He received credit for 636 days served in jail.
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