MUSKEGON, MI -- A 44-year-old Muskegon man and registered sex offender has been charged with a sex crime involving a "mentally disabled" relative, authorities said.
James Odell Pegues of Muskegon has been charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct, second-degree, according to Muskegon County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Maat.
Maat said the victim is "mentally disabled" and has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. The victim is an adult, Maat said.
It's alleged that Pegues had, on multiple occasions from June through August of 2014, sexually touched or groped the relative, Maat said.
The victim's mother had reported the alleged activity to police after her child told her of the reported sexual touching. It's alleged that the incidents have occurred at his home on Allen Avenue, Maat said.
If convicted, Pegues faces prison time of up to 30 years of incarceration. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, but because he is a habitual offender, the penalty doubles.
Pegues' criminal history includes a fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct attempt in 1997, failing to comply with the sex offender registry act and failing to pay child support.
A warrant has been signed for his most recent charge, Maat said. The allegations for the most recent charge were reported on Thursday, March 26, Maat said.
Heather Lynn Peters covers police and fire, and writes a statewide food column, The Spunky Kitchen, for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email her at hpeters@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @HLPNEWS.