By JOURNAL STAFF

MARQUETTE — A Spalding man was sentenced to 30 months to 15 years in prison, following his conviction for criminal sexual conduct, third degree, announced by Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Rogg on Tuesday.

Dustin Garvin-Thorbahn, 22, was convicted, by plea, on Sept. 9.

According to court documents and information presented in open court, the 15-year-old victim reported to Michigan State Police that Garvin-Thorbahn sexually assaulted her at the Hermansville boat launch in Meyer Township early December 2021.

“Garvin-Thorbahn lured the victim into the backseat of his pickup truck and choked her to the point where she was ‘scared for her life.’,” a press release from Rogg said. “Garvin-Thorbahn then violently sexually assaulted her. The victim reported that Garvin-Thorbahn ‘was laughing at her the entire time.’.”

Rogg said in the press release that Garvin-Thorbahn “preyed on a vulnerable child, five years younger than himself, for his own selfish sexual gratification.” Rogg continued saying Garvin-Thorbahn’s behavior is “deeply disturbing and the serious sanction of a prison sentence, even for one so young, is entirely appropriate as a consequence.”

“Intimate partner and sexual violence crimes are among the most difficult cases to prosecute. Judge (Christopher) Ninomiya’s sentence sends a harsh message to people like Mr. Garvin-Thorbahn that I will work tirelessly to seek justice for survivors, and that they cannot victimize anyone in vulnerable circumstances,” Rogg said. “I want to thank my partners at the Michigan State Police for their continued assistance in bring predators like this to justice.”

The prison sentence was handed down on Dec. 8, by Judge Ninomiya in the 41st Circuit Court.