An Illinois man was sentenced to 12 to 25 years in prison in connection with the 2023 sexual assault of a 12-year-old in Michigan.

According to the Michigan Attorney General’s office, Javier Mora, 22, of Des Plaines, Illinois, pleaded guilty in July to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of engaging in child sexually abusive activity and one count of using a computer to commit a crime.

State officials say that in April 2023, Mora communicated with the pre-teen through online gaming platforms. Officials say he drove from his home to Cadillac, Michigan, where he sexually assaulted the victim.

The Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office initially filed charges against Mora in November 2023, and he was subsequently arrested and extradited to Michigan in January 2025 as part of Operation Survivor Justice. The statewide initiative, launched in 2024, is a partnership among the Michigan Attorney General’s office, county prosecutors and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate and arrest Michigan fugitives with outstanding sexual assault warrants.

“I commend the Cadillac Police Department, Oasis Family Resource Center, the Wexford County Prosecutor’s Office, and our Operation Survivor Justice partners for their support in securing this sentence and providing assistance to the victim and her family,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said in a statement. “My office will continue to hold offenders accountable and ensure justice for survivors of sexual assault.” 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The autumn winds are returning to West Michigan and so are so many awesome events to check out this weekend.

Here is a look at what you can do the weekend of Oct. 17:

Griffins Home Opener

Hockey is back in Grand Rapids this Friday as the Griffins play host to the Manitoba Moose for their season-opening game.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. and fans will also have a chance at some exclusive giveaways. Rally towels and magnet schedules will be handed to the first fans who walk through the doors. The two teams battle it out on the ice on Saturday night as well.

Tickets are on sale now. You can grab yours by clicking here.

Grand Rapids Marathon

The 22nd annual Grand Rapids Marathon is taking place this Saturday and you still have time to register.

But maybe you’re not trained for a 26.2-mile trek. Well, you’re in luck. The race also offers a half-marathon option, a marathon relay, 5K and 10K options.

Click here to sign up for a race.

2025 EGR Harvest Festival

On Saturday, East Grand Rapids is inviting the community to a full day of celebrating local breweries and the fall season.

The second annual EGR Harvest and Beer Festival is back and is expected to draw some 5,000 people. Attendees will get to shop, eat and drink and there are also several activities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Click here to learn more.

Kent County Cup

The Kent Career Tech Center is set to host a Mario Kart Tournament this Saturday and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The Esports tournament is open to those in ninth through twelfth grade who are looking for some bragging rights as the top Mario Kart player in the county.

For more information, click here.

‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ at Four Winds Casino

Catching a showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” during the Halloween season is a must for many of us but this weekend you’ll have a unique chance to see the film at Four Winds Casino.

Not only will you get to see the film but the casino will also be bringing in some of the actors from the 1975 movie including Barry Bostwick, Nell Campbell and Patricia Quinn.

Get your tickets by clicking here.

Downtown St. Joseph Spooktacular

St. Joseph is bringing in the spooky season with a brand new event that features all of the seasonal favorite activities.

The Downtown Spooktacular is taking place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature day-long fun from a costume parade to pumpkin carving demonstrations.

Click here for more details.

Kalamazoo Book Arts Center 20th anniversary

Saturday is your chance to celebrate an icon in the Kalamazoo community as the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center turns 20 years old.

The gallery is hosting an anniversary party from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will include demonstrations on how to make paper, a live performance by Willey Central and, of course, plenty of birthday cake to eat.

You can find more information by clicking here.

A Taste of Ireland in Benton Harbor

This weekend in Benton Harbor, you can get a real, authentic Irish experience without having to leave the state of Michigan.

A Taste of Ireland, the Off-Broadway show, is making a stop in West Michigan this Saturday night at the Jenkins Theatre. The show promises to provide plenty of Irish music and dancing.

Click here to learn more.

WYOMING, MI – Bojangles, a North Carolina chain known for its fried chicken, biscuits and tea, is expected to open a new location in Wyoming, Mich.

The company currently operates more than 800 locations spread across 17 states, according to its website. But the one coming to Wyoming marks Michigan’s first.

Bojangles is officially set to open at 1730 28th St. SW., near Grand Rapids. The 2,223-square-foot building sits on a 1.37-acre lot.

The space has been home to its fair share of businesses over the years, including Main Street Pub and a Chinese restaurant called Hong Kong Inn.

Most recently, it was formerly a Taco John’s, which closed all its West Michigan locations in September 2024. The property was sold in July of this year to the a limited liability company called “SP BOJ QSR Investor I,” registered to an address in Lansing.

While an official opening date has not been set, the website indicates the Grand Rapids-area location is “coming soon,” with 18 new locations for the fast food chain expected to open before the end of 2025.

Featured menu items include the beloved Bo’s chicken sandwich. It comes with a juicy fried chicken breast, marinated in spices and hand-breaded with a crispy, crunchy buttermilk coating, and topped with two thick-cut dill pickles and creamy mayo on a toasted bakery bun.

Another favorite is the chicken meal. It comes with eight pieces of seasoned fried chicken, four made-from-scratch biscuits, two sides, and a half gallon of tea.

The choice of sides or “fixins” includes seasoned fries, Bo-Tato rounds, Bojangles dirty rice and macaroni & cheese.

Menu prices range from $4 to over $50, depending on whether it’s a family meal.

The 18 new locations including the Wyoming spot are expected to open by the end of the year in eight different states, according to USA Today.

The upcoming expansion is part of a larger effort to increase the company’s footprint. The company aims to have more than 1,000 new locations in the next few years.