(WWJ) A Northern Michigan man has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a child in her own home just over two years ago.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday that 34-year-old Justin Harvala from Kingsford, in the western Upper Peninsula, was convicted on March 30, as a Habitual Fourth Offender.
According to the AG's office, Harvala assaulted a 7-year-old girl on Feb. 11, 2021, while the victim's mother was in another room.
The assault was captured on a “nannycam” by the mom, who immediately confronted Harvala, ordered him to leave the house, and called police.
The Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office asked the Attorney General’s office to review the case. The prosecutor’s office then provided the AG with full access to their office’s resources — including the victim advocate, existing case files, and their child screen so that the victim would not have to look at the defendant in court.
The trial was held before Judge Christopher Ninomiya in the 41st Circuit Court.
Nessel said Harvala had been previously registered as a sex offender.
Officials said not say how Harvala was acquainted with the family, or what he was doing in the home.
“I’m appreciative of the collaboration between our department and Dickinson County Prosecutor Lisa Richards in securing the conviction of a habitual offender,” Nessel said. “The Dickinson County prosecutor's office provided tremendous resource support to our investigators, and we were able to work as a team to pursue justice for a young girl. I am also grateful to the victim and her family.”
Nessel's office said the victim’s parents voiced their gratitude to the Attorney General, thanking her for pursuing their daughter’s case.
Harvala’s sentencing is scheduled for May 15.
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