Jury finds Heather Winfield guilty of accosting a child for immoral purposes

ALPENA, Mich. — A jury has found 41-year-old Heather Ellen Winfield guilty of Count 6: Accosting a Minor for Immoral Purposes.  The jury acquitted her of the remaining charges, after deliberating for two days.  The punishment is a maximum of four years in prison and mandatory sex offender registration for the next 25 years.

Attorneys representing the victim said they weren’t pleased with the outcome.

“While this is not the outcome that we had hoped for, the credit for this conviction can only be given to the victim, who has shown great courage and strength throughout this entire process,” Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski said. “My hope is that, with this conviction, the victim can finally start the healing process.”

Sentencing will take place at a later date.  Winfield remains out on bond.