On Tuesday, September 29, a Lubbock, TX man was indicted in an aggravated assault case involving a woman he allegedly abducted on September 9. Tony Price, 59, is accused of sexually assaulting the 59-year-old woman on three occasions in his apartment. He is charged with three counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual assault, according to news reports.
Price allegedly struck the woman and forced her to perform sexual acts. The next day, the victim convinced Price to take her to pay her electric bill at the Lubbock Power & Light office. While inside the office, the woman got the attention of an off-duty police officer and let him know she needed help. Price fled the scene, and was arrested six days later on September 15. He remains in the Lubbock County Detention Center on a bond of $25,000.
The victim claims that Price kept her against her will, then threatened, beat, and raped her.
Rape is a very serious criminal offense in every state; how those convicted are punished varies from state to state. In Michigan, the crime of rape is classified as criminal sexual conduct and may be charged as first- or third-degree, depending on the facts of the case. If the alleged offender is found guilty of third-degree CSC, penalties include up to 15 years in prison; a first-degree CSC conviction can result in life in prison, as this is the most serious sex-related crime of all.
While losing your freedom is life-changing, those who are required to register as sex offenders find their lives and reputations damaged in many cases beyond repair. Being labeled a sex offender impacts housing, employment, where a person may live, financing, and other aspects of a person’s life. Regardless of the charges you are facing, it is vital to fight for your freedom and protect your legal rights by working with a skilled and aggressive Michigan sex crimes attorney.