Victory man jailed for statutory rape

LUDINGTON — A Victory Township man has been sentenced in 51st Circuit Court to one year in the Mason County Jail for having sex with a 14-year-old girl. Ryan Keith Shurlow, 21, of 3811 N. U.S. 31, Scottville, was arrested July 3 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. From September 2012 to January 2013 he had intercourse with the girl multiple times.

Shurlow’s attorney, Ryan Glanville, told the court that the relationship with the girl was open and consensual. However, he said Shurlow did admit that what he had done was wrong. The victim and her mother were present in the courtroom.

“Your attorney has done a good job of pointing out the positive features that you have been up front. That’s a very important step,” Judge Richard Cooper told Shurlow. “But, you don’t rob the cradle. If you do, you can find yourself in a situation like you are now.”

Shurlow was initially charged with criminal sexual conduct third degree (statutory rape) and possession of child sexually explicit material. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to one year in jail, serving six months up front for attempted CSC third degree. He had accepted a plea agreement with the prosecutor to drop the two initial charges and plea guilty for attempted.

He was also placed on 5-years probation and is to not have contact with the victim in any way. He also must follow all laws in regards to sex offenders, such as staying a minimum of 1,000 feet from a school zone.