FLINT – Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said a Flint man has been sentenced to more than 75 years in prison for the sexual assault of a victim who was under the age of 13.
Last month, a jury convicted Swahitti Kying Watson, 53, of three counts of criminal sexual conduct first degree of a person under the age of 13 and three counts of criminal sexual conduct second degree of a person under the age of 13. Additionally, Watson was convicted of exhibiting sexually explicit material to a minor.
Watson received the mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison on each of the first degree counts and they will be served consecutively for a term of 75 years with credit for time served. He received an additional 18 months on the sexually explicit material count. He was sentenced concurrently to 12 years in prison on each of the second degree counts.
The incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018. According to testimony at trial, Watson was a family friend who would receive permission to take the victim to the store but instead, he would take her to another location where he would assault her and show her pornographic videos.
“Today justice was served,” Leyton said. “Today, Swahitti Watson was sentenced to what is essentially a life
sentence for his abhorrent actions. I want to acknowledge the brave actions of the victim in this case for coming forward and for standing strong in the face of enormous stress and trauma.”
Leyton also thanked and acknowledged the efforts of the City of Flint Police and his assistant prosecutor who handled the case, Lori Selvidge.
