News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Alex Harimoto takes his seat before the start of his plea hearing in the 53rd Circuit Court in Presque Isle on Monday.

ROGERS CITY — Alex Harimoto, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) on Monday in the 53rd Circuit Court in Presque Isle County. Judge Aaron Gauthier revoked Harimoto’s bond and he was taken into the custody of the Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Office.

Harimoto, the former executive director of the Rogers City Downtown Development Association, was originally charged with three counts of first degree CSC and three counts of second degree CSC.

Harimoto was arrested and arraigned on June 30. The date of the offense was March 5, 2024. His case was bound over to the 53rd Circuit Court after he waived preliminary examination.

Harimoto was expected to plead guilty at his last hearing on Jan. 5 but due to technical issues and incomplete paperwork filed by the attorneys, the hearing was pushed to Monday.

At Monday’s hearing, Judge Gauthier asked for a written plea agreement which was not immediately on hand. He called a recess for Alcona Prosecuting Attorney Elizabeth Reed and Defense Counsel Jesse Williams to get the paperwork in order.

Reed is the prosecutor in the case since Presque Isle Prosecuting Attorney Zakary McLennan recused himself due to a conflict of interest.

Back in session, Gauthier informed Harimoto that fourth degree CSC is punishable by a maximum of two years in prison and/or a $500 fine, mandatory HIV and STD testing, and registration as a sex offender.

Williams established a factual basis with his client for the charge. In that factual basis, which is said under oath, Harimoto said he had a mutual sexual relationship with a then 15-year-old girl in Rogers City in Presque Isle County. He admitted to touching that girl’s “sexual areas”. He was 24 years old at the time.

Judge Gauthier accepted Harimoto’s plea and scheduled his sentencing at 11 a.m. on March 16. Harimoto’s charges of first and second degree CSC were dismissed.

Reed said that the plea agreement was made at the request of the victim because she wanted to minimize the consequences for the defendant. Reed said she had no reason to revoke Harimoto’s bond.

Williams said that Harimoto has put himself into treatment counseling with a group that works exclusively with sex offenders and asked for a continuation of bond.

“He’s doing very well, and he has not had any contact or bond issues,” Williams said.

“Mr. Harimoto is no longer clothed with the presumption of innocence, bond is entirely discretionary with the court,” Gauthier said. “There are statutes that discourage (revoking bond) in these kinds of cases, saying that I can’t even continue on bond unless there’s clear and convincing evidence that he’s not a danger to other persons.”

“A 24-year-old engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15 year old, and this plea agreement is a significant reduction…I tend to give a lot of incarcerations when it’s reduced from a first to a fourth,” Judge Gauthier said. “So at this point I’m going to cancel Mr. Harimoto’s bond, he is remanded to the custody of the Presque Isle County Sheriff.”

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.