On May 19, 23-year-old Welton D. Pulliam of Saginaw was arrested by Michigan State Police for allegedly raping a 22-year-old woman at her apartment during a home invasion, according to news reports at Mlive.com. He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on the charges on Monday, June 2.
While there are few details regarding the home invasion, the incident is alleged to have occurred on April 28 at an apartment on Saginaw’s West Side. The arrest warrant issued for Pulliam indicated that he raped the woman. He was charged with four felony offenses including first-degree criminal sexual conduct causing personal injury, extortion, and first-degree home invasion. On May 29 while he remained in jail on a $150,000 bond, prosecutors also charged Pulliam with interfering with or intimidating a witness; this charge was also in connection with the April 28 incident.
Home invasion and extortion charges will leave an individual who is convicted facing up to 20 years in prison. In Michigan, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, the legal charge for rape, is the most serious of all, leaving those charged facing a maximum of life in prison if convicted. Intimidating or interfering with a witness is a 10-year felony.
While all of the charges Pulliam faces are serious, rape is by far the most serious. If convicted, not only will he face any number of years up to life behind bars, he will also be required to register as a sex offender for life. Sex offenders cannot choose where they may live in many cases; obtaining employment or financial assistance is also extremely difficult. Sex offenders are shunned by society, often ignored or looked down upon in the community.
Anyone who is accused of rape or any sex-related offense must take action immediately to protect his or her legal rights, freedom, and future. There are many legal options available, and depending on your guilt or innocence, an attorney can help determine whether you should proceed to trial, or whether it may be beneficial to plead guilty or no contest to the charges. Contact an experienced and capable Michigan sex crimes defense attorney who will work on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome.