LANSING – Today, in the 3A District Court in Coldwater, Judge Brent Weigle bound over Alex New, 54, a Branch County resident recently extradited from Florida, to stand trial in the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County, on two counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct and one count of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. New is accused of sexually assaulting a minor.  

New was charged by the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2016 but fled and eluded authorities before being located in Florida and returned to Branch County in June through Operation Survivor Justice. Nessel announced the partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service, to locate, apprehend, and return Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants earlier this year. 

"Operation Survivor Justice is about ensuring that those who try to evade criminal accountability are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes or where they try to hide,” Nessel said. “Mr. New, who was once a fugitive, will now stand trial thanks to this vital partnership.” 

New will appear in the 15th Circuit Court in front of Judge Patrick William O'Grady on September 23 at 1:30 p.m.