Photo by Ricky Turner on Unsplash
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said his office has come roaring back
in the courtroom after more than a year of no jury trials being conducted due to the covid
pandemic.
He announced the fourth jury conviction his office has obtained in less than a week and the second child sexual assault conviction in as many days. He said a jury convicted a Flint man of 17 counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) related to multiple assaults on three child victims over a period of more than a decade.
Kelvin Jones, 52 (d.o.b. 8/07/1968), was convicted of nine counts of CSC first degree involving a child under age 13, six counts of CSC second degree involving a child under age 13, and two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.
Investigation into the first case began in 2004 when a child victim disclosed to a school principal that the child’s mother’s boyfriend, Jones, had been sexually assaulting her for a long time. Charges were initially issued but the case was dismissed as the victim became too scared to testify with an intent by the prosecutor to hopefully re-issue when the child was older. That victim’s mother eventually moved her and her siblings out of state so the case became cold.
In November 2018, another child victim alleged that he was being assaulted by Jones who was an in-law of the victim’s family. The Flint police investigation into this new case resulted in the original victim from over a decade being contacted to see if she would be interested in pursuing charges at this time and she agreed to it. That’s original victim’s sibling overheard the conversation and reported being assault by Jones as well back in 2004.
Upon completion of the Flint police investigation, Prosecutor Leyton authorized the 17 counts against Jones naming all three victims. There was a more recent victim who declined to press charges but did testify at trial against Jones.
Prosecutor Leyton credited the city of Flint Police Department for its steadfast determination for well over a decade in seeing that the original cases were never forgotten and that Jones was brought to justice.
Prosecutor Leyton also pointed out that the work of local child welfare organizations including Voices for Children was critical in assisting police with their investigation through child victim interviews.
“I am so proud of my staff, the city of Flint police department, and the professional child welfare advocates who years ago laid the foundation for us to see justice through in this case,” Leyton said. “While the wheels of justice sometimes turn slowly, they never stop turning. The verdict in this case is testimony to the fact that we will never stop seeking justice for victims in our community and we will continue to work together
in close collaboration with our partners in law enforcement and child welfare to see that child predators are brought to justice and held accountable for their appalling acts.
Leyton noted that soon after the jury’s verdict was read, one of the victims texted the prosecutor’s victim advocate on the case and said “Justice has been served and you guys put away a bad man and saved children…I feel like a survivor now; I’m no longer a victim thanks to you.”
“That is why we come to work each day, to see justice through and to stand up for victims and the most vulnerable in our society who cannot stand up for themselves,” Leyton said.
“It’s those moments when we are able to take a step back in our office, take a collective breath, and realize that all the blood, sweat and sometimes tears is worth it; it’s those moments when the significance of our job comes shining through and it makes you appreciate the opportunity we have to make a real difference in the lives of individual victims and for the sake and safety of our community,” he said.
Jones faces a mandatory minimum term of 25 years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced on August 26.
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