Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — Jackson County man Curtis Lee Fleming was recently sentenced by Judge John McBain to 35-50 years in prison for 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. In 2019, the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office was awarded and accepted a grant to expand and regionalize its Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (S.A.K.I.) to include investigations in Jackson County. Those investigations surround previously untested sexual assault kits from various agencies within both Ingham and Jackson Counties.  The S.A.K.I. project is a collaborative mission involving the Attorney General’s Office, both Jackson and Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office, and specific S.A.K.I. investigators and local law enforcement.

This incident occurred in June of 2012 and was immediately reported to City of Jackson Police Department. Based on the SAKI project, that sexual assault kit was tested and in January of 2024, S.A.K.I. Investigator Detective Joseph Merritt was able to start an investigation. After a joint investigation between Det. Merritt, Det. Tom Tinklepaugh from the City of Jackson Police Department, and multiple deputies from Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Fleming pled guilty to Criminal Sexual Conduct.

“This is a very serious offense, and we are so grateful for such a collaborative effort by multiple law enforcement agencies to be able to seek justice for this victim,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Kelsey Guernsey. “This is a very appropriate sentence for the facts, and I appreciate Judge McBain’s commitment to keeping the community safe.”

“I also want to thank the trial team of S.A.K.I. Investigator Det. Joseph Merritt and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stormie McGee. They did an excellent job in ensuring the delay in time did not impact the justice sought for the victim.” said Prosecutor Guernsey.