An 81-year-old man, Melvin Barhite, was convicted by an Ingham County jury on Monday, April 27, 2026, of first-degree criminal sexual conduct – incapacitated victim, in connection with an incident at a nursing home, authorities said.
The defendant was also convicted of failing to report as a sex offender, due to a past conviction in Kent County. See link below.
The prosecution team was led by Asst. Prosecutor/Unit Chief Steve Kwasnik, who heads our Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit. Steve Kwasnik worked with police, prosecution colleagues, victim advocates, and the victim’s family in prosecuting this matter.
The victim was a resident of a nursing home, as was the defendant.
That defendant will be sentenced as a habitual offender, due to a criminal history that includes a conviction for child sexual abuse.
