(COLDWATER) - A Union City man has been convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls -- ages 11 and 12 -- and giving methamphetamine to a minor.
Anthony Cuyler was found guilty Thursday of three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving two children under 13, along with one count of delivering methamphetamine to a minor. The crimes occurred on July 23 and July 24 of 2019.
Each first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction carries a possible life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. The drug conviction carries a potential sentence of up to 40 years.
After charges were authorized in 2019, investigators were unable to locate Cuyler. Authorities later learned he had fled to Mexico. The Branch County Prosecutor's Office requested federal assistance, and the U.S. Marshals Service launched a fugitive investigation through Operation Survivor Justice.
Marshals located Cuyler in Mexico, where he was expelled from the country and arrested in March of 2024. He was returned to Michigan to face trial.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office prosecuted the case with assistance from Branch County Prosecutor Zachary Stempien, who said the verdict delivers long-overdue justice for the victims.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.