FLINT – Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said a Flint man has been convicted of multiple counts of statutory rape after a four–day jury trial in Circuit Court.
David Ryan Sampson, 34, is convicted of three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree involving a victim between the ages of 13 and 16. He faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced on May 2, 2025.
According to the police investigation and testimony at trial, the victim’s mother had been dating and living with Sampson for about six years, during which time he committed various questionable acts with the victim even before she turned ten years old. The situation came to the attention of authorities in 2022 after the victim had confided in a friend about recent sexual experiences she had had. The friend’s father overheard his daughter and the victim talking in the backseat of his vehicle about her sexual activity and upon questioning from the friend’s father, the victim confirmed that it involved Sampson.
The victim’s mother was then informed and law enforcement were notified.
Testimony at trial and the police investigation revealed that Sampson would often provide the victim with marijuana and alcohol before the assaults took place which occurred at various locations including Sampson’s home and Stepping Stone Falls, in Flint and Kelly Lake in the city of Burton.
“This case involves the appalling acts of a grown man who took advantage of a young girl who had looked up to him as a father figure,” said Leyton. “His behavior is illegal under the law and repulsive in the eyes of our community and he will be held accountable through a very lengthy prison sentence.”
Prosecutor Leyton acknowledged the hard work of his staff in seeing justice through. including that of Lead Trial Attorney Ezekiel Zanetta, Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Serzo and countless others including secretaries, paralegals and victim advocates.
Prosecutor Leyton also acknowledged the work of the Genesee County Parks law enforcement division, who investigated the case as it was first reported occurring at Stepping Stone Falls.
