Sodomy conviction sets man up for life sentence

By NewsPress Now

A St. Joseph man is facing a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree sodomy. 

Michael Dan Hawkins, 42, was found guilty by a Buchanan County jury after about five hours of deliberations on Thursday.

He was charged in September 2022 with having deviate sexual intercourse with a child younger than 12 for an incident that occurred that June. The jury heard testimony from 15 witnesses during the two-day trial, including the victim, the victim’s family and public safety and medical officials.

Hawkins will be sentenced on Aug. 12. Due to the nature of the crime, Hawkins faces a mandatory life sentence.