Michigan – Last Friday, James Carter, a 62-year-old man previously residing in Georgia, faced serious legal charges as he was arraigned in the 2B District Court of Hillsdale, Michigan. Before Judge Megan R. Stiverson, Carter was charged with one count of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, which could see him facing a life sentence if convicted. Additionally, he faces two counts of Accosting a Child for Immoral Purposes, each a felony with a possible sentence of up to four years.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced these charges following Carter’s extradition from Georgia. This legal action was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Operation Survivor Justice, a significant legal and law enforcement initiative. The operation, which involves the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service, aims to track down, capture, and extradite fugitives accused of sexual offenses.
The origins of Carter’s charges date back to incidents alleged to have occurred in 2008, involving the se*ual assault of a minor and immoral conduct towards her and another victim. The charges were first filed by the Hillsdale County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in August 2011, but Carter had since left the state, thereby evading initial attempts at capture and prosecution.
The extradition of Carter was a direct result of funding allocated last year for Operation Survivor Justice, which received a $1 million state appropriation specifically for this purpose. This operation is part of a broader effort by Michigan authorities to ensure that individuals accused of serious crimes such as these face the legal consequences of their actions, regardless of their location.
“Operation Survivor Justice has proven that those who flee criminal allegations cannot evade accountability by crossing state lines,” Nessel said. “I am proud to partner with the U.S. Marshals Service and county prosecutors across Michigan on this important work and remain committed to seeing justice delivered for these victims.”
Carter’s next court appearance is scheduled for a Probable Cause Conference on April 2 at 10:30 a.m. at the 2B District Court. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Michigan’s legal and law enforcement agencies to address and rectify cases involving se*ual offenses, particularly those that have been prolonged due to the accused’s attempts to flee justice.