FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
Late Wednesday afternoon a Huron County jury of eight women and four men found Keith Brian Bouverette of Harbor Beach guilty of two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd Degree and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Fourth Degree. The jury deliberated for approximately an hour and twenty minutes before finding Bouverette, 59, guilty. The main two charges have a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
On May 5, 2019, late in the evening, the Harbor Beach Police Department took a complaint of Bouverette committing a sexual assault on a 15-year-old female. While reporting the crime, the victim’s mother and a friend of the family were present.
In March 2022, the police were contacted by a different person who indicated Bouverette, had sent a text message to him confessing to having sex with the victim and one other minor. As a result, the Defendant was charged and arraigned on April 26, 2022, with two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd Degree and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 4th degree. The charges all involved the same victim. A preliminary examination was held on March 10, 2023, and the Defendant was bound over as charged. The jury trial was held June 11 and 12, 2024.
During the Trial
Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David Wallace called twelve witnesses: three women who were sexually assaulted by the Defendant, three law enforcement officers, the Defendant’s ex-wife, and five other individuals who were all friends of the Defendant. The three women, now adults, testified that they were sexually assaulted by the Defendant while they were minors, the victim in this case was 15 at the time, a second victim was 13, and the third one testified that she was between the ages 8-10 when the Defendant fondled her breasts. One of the other witnesses testified that on March 6, 2022, he received a text message from the defendant confessing to having sex with two of the women. In addition, another witness stated that the Defendant admitted to him to having an “inappropriate” relationship with the victim. His ex-wife testified to a similar confession.
Phone records admitted during the trial confirmed the text message with the confession came from the Defendant’s phone. The defense did not call any witnesses. After the jury convicted the Defendant, the Court revoked the Defendant’s bond, remanding the Defendant to the Huron County Jail.
Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Rutkowski recognized the importance of the three women in this case, stating:
I would like to recognize and thank the brave women who came forward to tell the jury about the horrific experiences they suffered. These cases are only possible because of their strength. This case is also a testament to the hard work and perseverance of the Harbor Beach Police Department.
Judge Gerald M. Prill scheduled sentencing for Bouverette on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 9 a.m.
