Jason Kushmaul, a 50-year-old man from Tennessee, was arraigned in the 77th District Court in Reed City, Michigan, on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The arraignment took place before Judge Peter M. Jaklevic. Kushmaul is accused of sexually assaulting three minors under the age of 13 between approximately 2002 and 2008 while he lived in Osceola County.
The charges were initially filed in 2016 by the Osceola County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after the alleged victims reported the assaults. By that time, Kushmaul had already left Michigan. He was extradited to Osceola County through Operation Survivor Justice, a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service aimed at locating and returning fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants to Michigan.
“Operation Survivor Justice continues to ensure that individuals cannot evade charges by crossing state lines,” said Attorney General Dana Nessel. “Through this vital partnership, we are committed to bringing fugitives back to Michigan to face the charges against them.”
Kushmaul’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 5 for a probable cause conference.
For all criminal proceedings, it is noted that a criminal charge is merely an allegation and that defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General works throughout the state to protect residents and advance public service initiatives such as actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations (https://www.michigan.gov/ag). Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general (https://www.michigan.gov/ag).