Houghton County Child Sex Abuse Cases

Two separate child sex abuse cases in Houghton County are headed to circuit court following preliminary exams earlier today.

27–year–old Joshua Adkins of Laurium appeared in 97th District Court facing three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one first-degree count.

The first-degree count carries a penalty of 25 years to life if convicted, while there’s a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for each second-degree count.

Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom as the 11–year–old victim took the stand to testify against Adkins.

Laurium Police Officer Jared Erkkila testified that Adkins admitted to having sexual contact with the victim on at least three different occasions.

The incidents allegedly took place earlier this month at a home on South Pewabic Street in Laurium.

In an unrelated case, 25–year–old Robert Moilanen of Lake Linden sat through testimony given by his younger sister.

She stated that she was sexually molested by her brother for approximately three years, when she was between the ages of 5 and 8.

The victim is now 15 years old.

Moilanen is charged with three counts of first-degree CSC and a second-degree count.

Both Adkins and Moilanen were bound over on all charges.

Posted by: Mike Hoey