Guilty plea secured in Livingston County CSC case

A Livingston County man charged with nearly two dozen criminal sexual conduct (CSC) crimes will serve at least a decade in prison, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday.

Last Friday before Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Miriam A. Cavanaugh, Francis Winegarden II, 43, of Brighton, pleaded guilty to the following:

  • One count of first-degree CSC – relationship; and
  • One count of fourth-degree CSC – incest.

Winegarden was originally charged with the following:

  • nine counts of first-degree CSC – person under the age of 13; 
  • Four counts of second-degree CSC – person under the age of 13;
  • Five counts of third-degree CSC – incest; and
  • Two counts of fourth-degree CSC – incest. 

As part of the plea agreement, Winegarden will serve between 10 and 20 years in prison, have lifetime electronic monitoring and must register as a sex offender.

“I am proud of the work done to secure this guilty plea from Mr. Winegarden,” Nessel said. “We will continue to prioritize survivors in our pursuit of justice against their abusers.”

Sentencing is set for February 3 at 1:30 p.m.