Cuyler bound over for trial in 2019 sex with minors cases after return from Mexico

BRANCH COUNTY — After testimony from two victims Thursday morning at a preliminary examination, 3-A District Judge Brent Weigle bound over Anthony Cuyler, 46, on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of delivery of methamphetamine to a minor, one count of possession of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of ammunition by a felon.

Cuyler fled 2019 charges until last month when the U.S. Marshals Service located the former Union City area resident in Mexico and extradited him to Branch County.

Assistant Attorney General Caitlyn Kirby presented the case for the Branch County prosecutor under the Operation Survivor Justice program.

This program provides justice for the victims of cold case sex crimes in the state of Michigan.

Prior story Anthony Cuyler extradited from Mexico to face Union City CSC charges

One victim, who was 12 at the time, testified she went to Cuyler’s home and smoked meth and marijuana with him in July 2019. 

Her then 11-year-old friend had oral sex with Cuyler and then watched her friend and Cuyler have sex several times before they spent the night there, according to testimony.

Both girls testified they used marijuana before going to Cuyler’s home.

Even though there was no lab test evidence to determine what drugs Cuyler allegedly gave the girls, Weigle said there were reasonable inferences Cuyler did provide meth for the girls to smoke.

Union City Police began the investigation after the girl’s parents learned about the overnight stay with 40-year-old Cuyler.

Public defender Patrick O’Connell did not argue against the bind over.

Cuyler will appear for arraignments in the 15th Circuit Court on Aug. 12.

First-degree CSC is a life felony.

Cuyler is being held without bond.

Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “I am grateful to local law enforcement, the Branch County prosecuting attorneys, and especially the U.S. Marshals Service for bringing this man home to face criminal accountability.”

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Nessel added, “Without their dedication to apprehending those accused of cold-case sexual crimes, Mr. Cuyler would likely still be in Mexico, and not awaiting a trial date in circuit court, as he is today.” 

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Anthony Cuyler Branch County sex with minors Mexico extradition