Sterling Heights man found guilty of sexual assault

STERLING HEIGHTS — A Sterling Heights man has been found guilty on five charges related to 2023 sexual assaults following a jury trial.

On Friday, Jan. 17, after a four-day trial, Larry Devere Middleton, 32, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl, according to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office. The girl was assaulted on multiple occasions in 2023, according to the release.

Middleton was found guilty on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13, a felony punishable by up to life in prison; second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13, a 15-year felony; criminal sexual conduct-assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, a 10-year felony; and indecent exposure, a one-year misdemeanor.

“This conviction reflects the bravery of the victim in coming forward and the commitment of our community to holding individuals accountable for their actions,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said in a statement.

Joshua Van Laan, Middleton’s attorney, said his client plans to file an appeal.

“As I told the jury in my opening statement, Mr. Middleton did not come into this trial claiming complete innocence. In fact, at the very onset of this case, he admitted to the things he did wrong, even though he knew that those admissions would eventually be used to convict him,” Van Laan said. “And while he has never denied his guilt as to the second-degree criminal sexual conduct claim, he has consistently maintained that his actions did not amount to first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Unfortunately, the jury saw it differently. Mr. Middleton will therefore pursue his right to appeal in the Court of Appeals.”

Middleton was scheduled to be sentenced by Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Sabaugh at 9 a.m. March 20.