On Sunday morning November 16, Eli Bronson Burdette was arraigned on sexual assault charges after he allegedly assaulted a woman on Friday night at the Peninsular Place apartments in Ypsilanti, according to a news article at Mlive.com.
Burdette, who is a track athlete at Eastern Michigan University, has been charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of first-degree CSC, which involve penetration. Police were notified of the sexual assault on Saturday morning, after the alleged victim was able to leave her apartment. She alleges that following the sexual assault she was prevented from leaving her apartment, but once Burdette left, she notified police.
Burdette lives in the same apartment complex as the victim; he was arrested without incident. Police reports indicated that the sexual assault took place sometime between 11:30 p.m. Friday evening and 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Burdette competes in throws at EMU and is a full time student. Following the charges, he was suspended from the track team indefinitely, pending the outcome of the case. His preliminary exam has been set for November 25.
News reports do not indicate whether Burdette was a friend of the alleged victim’s, or why he was at her apartment. An experienced Michigan sex crime defense attorney would thoroughly investigate to learn of any possible relationship between the two, and if the sexual activity may have been consensual. There is no doubt that sexual assault is a crime that is committed with alarming frequency, however there are also many instances in which an innocent person is accused of rape after engaging in consensual sexual activity.
Anyone who is accused of sexual assault, indecent exposure, possession of child pornography, or any similar offense must take action immediately to protect your freedom and legal rights. Contact a skilled and aggressive criminal defense lawyer who is highly experienced and capable in the area of sex crimes to ensure the best possible result in your case.