Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Anthony Cuyler, 46, a Branch County resident recently extradited from Mexico, has been bound over to stand trial in the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County. He faces three counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine to a Minor, one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, as announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Cuyler was charged by the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2019 for alleged sexual assaults against two minor children, girls aged 11 and 12 years old, and for allegedly providing them with methamphetamine. He evaded authorities for years before being located in Mexico and returned to Branch County last month. The U.S. Marshals Service conducted his extradition from Mexico. Today's preliminary examination took place in the 3-A District Court in Branch County before Judge Brent R. Weigle.

“Survivors of sexual assault deserve to see their abusers brought to justice, and in some cases that requires extraordinary and unusual efforts,” Nessel said. “I am grateful to local law enforcement, the Branch County prosecuting attorneys, and especially the U.S. Marshals Service for bringing this man home to face criminal accountability. Without their dedication to apprehending those accused of cold-case sexual crimes, Mr. Cuyler would likely still be in Mexico, and not awaiting a trial date in circuit court, as he is today.”

The Department of Attorney General will lead the prosecution of this case. Cuyler will next appear in the 15th Circuit Court on Aug. 12 at 2:30 p.m.

Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.