Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – In the 3A District Court in Coldwater, Judge Brent Weigle has bound over Alex New, a 54-year-old Branch County resident recently extradited from Florida, to stand trial in the 15th Circuit Court on two counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that New is accused of sexually assaulting a minor.

New was charged by the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2016 but fled and eluded authorities before being located in Florida. He was returned to Branch County in June through Operation Survivor Justice. Earlier this year, Nessel announced the partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate, apprehend, and return Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.

"Operation Survivor Justice is about ensuring that those who try to evade criminal accountability are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes or where they try to hide," Nessel stated. "Mr. New, who was once a fugitive, will now stand trial thanks to this vital partnership."

New is scheduled to appear in the 15th Circuit Court before Judge Patrick William O'Grady on September 23 at 1:30 p.m.

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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.