On September 13, 30-year-old Stephen Larkin was charged with three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old female student at West Bloomfield High School. Larkin teaches social studies and history at the school, and has been placed on administrative leave of absence.
The victim alleged that during a one-on-one tutoring session in a classroom at the high school, Larkin touched her inappropriately according to Lt. Tim Diamond of the West Bloomfield Police department.
A news article at the Detroit News states that the victim complained about the teacher with her parents at the school, then filed a report with police on May 31. Larkin pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charges and was released on a $10,000 cash bond. He is also a girl’s golf coach at the high school. The court also ordered Larkin to wear a GPS tether.
On October 1 during a preliminary exam, prosecutors in the case requested that an additional charge of fourth-degree CSC be tacked on to Larkin’s charges; Judge Diane D’Agostini granted the request. The victim, according to court records, was the only person to testify at the hearing.
Each of the fourth-degree CSC charges is a two-year misdemeanor. Larkin is scheduled to appear for arraignment on October 14 at Oakland County Circuit Court before Judge Daniel P. O’Brien.
Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct leaves the accused facing penalties which include potential fines and up to two years in prison if convicted. While these penalties are not to be taken lightly, the impact otherwise on an individual’s life can be serious. In this case, not only may the teacher’s reputation be ruined, his career may suffer as well.
Anyone who has been accused or arrested for a sex crime including rape, sexual assault, or possession of child pornographic material should contact an aggressive and experienced Michigan sex crime defense attorney right away. Taking action early on can make the difference in securing positive results.