He is convicted of three counts of criminal sexual misconduct
MARQUETTE -- A Negaunee man charged with three counts of criminal sexual misconduct has been sentenced 10 to 15 years in prison.
Forty-four-year-old James P. Lyons originally had as many as 15 counts against him before entering a plea deal that involved a "guilty" plea for three counts and an upward departure for harsher sentencing guidelines.
He is charged with second and third degree criminal sexual conduct along with accosting a minor for immoral purposes. He was originally arrested in Marquette for soliciting minors for sexual purposes.
Lyons made a statement in court asking for a shorter sentence under the consideration that he was in the process of rehabilitating from "sexually addictive behavior."
"I will do anything to help my victims recover fully," says Lyons. "I beg for a chance to end the cycle of abuse I was a part of as a child."
The prosecution said that the defendant deserved to taken off the streets to ensure a safer community.
Lyons did not have a prior criminal history.
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