WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. – An Indiana man has been sentenced in connection with the 2015 sexual assault of a young girl in Northern Michigan, officials said.
Michael Burch, 34, formerly of Hazelton, Indiana, was sentenced to 38-60 months in prison for sexually assaulting a girl, who was 11 years old at the time, while she was sleeping in a camper in Cadillac, according to a release from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
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Burch pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree criminal sexual conduct in November.
The sexual assault was initially reported in June 2015, but officials said Burch left the state before charges were issued against him.
The case stayed in warrant status until Burch was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in January of this year.
He was arrested as part of Operation Survivor Justice.
The initiative is a joint effort involving the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service to track down fugitives wanted on outstanding sexual assault warrants and bring them back to Michigan to face charges, according to the release.
“Through Operation Survivor Justice and because of the courage of the victim in this case, this offender has been held accountable for this heinous assault,” Nessel said. “It is my hope that this sentence brings some closure to the survivor who has carried this trauma for far too long and reassurance that even years later, justice can still be achieved.”
In a victim provided a victim impact statement, in which she said, in part, “I still struggle with physical touch, with being places alone, with sleeping; but I want you to know that you didn’t ruin my family. You didn’t ruin me. We are happy. We have good lives. I’m glad to say that I can finally put this behind me. You finally took accountability for what you did – not only to me, but for all the other people you have done this to. Although I know that this is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, I can finally breathe. No more worrying if you are out there doing this to another family. No more wondering how you got away with this.”