(STURGIS) - A 57 year old Sturgis man has been arraigned on multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct.
St. Joseph County District Court officials say Raymond Bontrager was arraigned Monday afternoon on four counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and a charge of aggravated indecent exposure.
Prosecutor Deborah Davis says Bontrager was arrested Sunday on the charges related to alleged incidents spanning from 2016 to 2025. The charges involve allegations that Bontrager sexually assaulted his adopted daughter beginning when she was just six years old.
According to investigators, the abuse continued until the summer of 2025, when the victim, who is now 15, disclosed the alleged assaults to a trusted adult. Michigan State Police were contacted and immediately launched an investigation. The child underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examination that same day.
Forensic evidence was obtained and tested, including male DNA obtained from the victim's body consistent with the assault allegations. After review of the results that were received recently, the case was submitted to the Prosecutor's Office with a request for criminal charges.
Bontrager is being held on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to have a probable cause hearing on February 17 and a preliminary examination on February 24.