Articles Posted in Sex Crimes

On July 29, 23-year-old Willus L. Williamson allegedly raped and robbed a woman near his East Side Saginaw home, according to news reports at Mlive.com. In all, Williamson has been charged with seven felonies including three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct causing personal injury, and one count each of unarmed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, assault by strangulation, and second-degree CSC causing personal injury. 

News reports indicate the crimes occurred about a block away from Williamson’s home, and that he took the victim’s clothing, cigarettes, lighter, and driver’s license. A statute which was made effective in April 2013 defines assault by strangulation as, “intentionally impeding normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person.”

If found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Williamson may face a maximum term of life in prison, as first-degree CSC involves penetration. The defendant may also face up to 15 years on the imprisonment and second-degree robbery charges. Williamson pleaded not guilty and is currently held on a $700,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 15.

While all of the charges leveled against Williamson are serious, first-degree CSC is the most serious of all, as it could leave him facing the rest of his life behind bars if found guilty. It is too soon to tell at this point, but Williamson’s defense attorney may choose to discuss the possibility with his client of working a plea deal with prosecutors, particularly if the evidence against Williamson is solid. In most cases, pleading down to a lesser offense will result in less serious criminal penalties. However, if Mr. Williamson is indeed innocent, the case will likely go to trial.

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Last week, 23-year-old Edward Charles Eubanks was arraigned on charges in connection with two separate incidents in which he allegedly raped 14-year-old girls in his car. According to a news article at Mlive.com, Eubanks, a Muskegon resident, was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving sexual penetration through force or coercion, causing physical injury, and one count of third-degree CSC with a victim between 13 and 16 years old. 

Eubanks has been convicted on drug charges in the past, and was charged as a fourth-time habitual offender in the rape cases. According to Timothy Maat, Chief Assistant Muskegon County Prosecutor, both of the 14-year-old girls knew Eubanks, who raped each girl after offering her a ride in his car. One of the rapes is alleged to have occurred on June 1, and the other on July 21. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 5; Eubanks remains in Muskegon County Jail.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct involves penetration, and is the most serious sex offense an individual may be accused of. If convicted, the defendant may face up to life in prison. Registration as a sex offender is mandatory for those found guilty of first-degree CSC.

Third-degree criminal sexual conduct also involves penetration, and is a charge given when other conditions are met, such as force or coercion, the defendant knows that the victim is incapacitated either physically or mentally, and other conditions. The criminal penalties for a conviction of third-degree CSC include up to 15 years in prison and sex offender registration, among other penalties.

Michigan sex crime defense attorneys are certainly aware that rape, child molestation, and other similar crimes do happen all too often, however there are also many occasions on which an individual who is innocent is accused of rape or sexual assault. This can result in an innocent person spending a substantial number of years or even life behind bars. Even worse in some cases is the fact that the individual will be labeled as a sex offender, and shunned by society.

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On Tuesday, July 22, 49-year-old Joseph A. Howell of Saginaw was arraigned on charges of sexually assaulting a young girl beginning in January of 2008, and continuing through December of 2011. According to a news article at Mlive.com, Howell was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13, and two counts of second-degree CSC with a victim younger than 13.

Court records revealed that the alleged victim notified staff at the Nathan Weidner Children’s Advocacy Center about the molestations by Howell. The young girl told staff that Howell had digitally penetrated her on numerous occasions at a Bay City residence.

Howell is attempting to get disability payments due to health concerns, and is not employed. He was arraigned via closed-circuit television in front of Bay County Chief District Judge Timothy J. Kelly from his jail cell. Howell’s preliminary exam is scheduled for August 5. His bond was set at $250,000 cash-surety.

Second-degree CSC is a 15 year offense, while first-degree criminal sexual conduct can result in a life prison term for those convicted. If found guilty, Howell could spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know there are legal options for those accused of sexual assault, child molestation, and other related crimes. Depending on the situation and whether the alleged offender is guilty or innocent, an experienced lawyer may advise the client that working a plea agreement with prosecutors may be advantageous. In a situation where the evidence against the defendant is substantial or overwhelming, it may be best to plead guilty to a lesser charge, which typically results in a reduced sentence.

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On Thursday, June 19, Grandville police were called to the home of an elderly woman who had allegedly been sexually assaulted by a man who tricked her into letting him inside her home, where he stole money. According to Mlive.com, Shawn Jarrett got away with an undisclosed amount of money when he left the woman’s home on a bicycle.

Officers were called to the woman’s home in the 3700 block of Prairie Street SW at approximately 11 a.m. on the 19th. The woman told officers that the man came to her back door and used a ruse to gain entrance into her home. She claimed that she was injured by the man, although the nature of her injuries were not revealed by police.

Jarrett was formerly charged by Grandville District Court Judge Peter Versluis with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first-degree home invasion. He denied bond for Jarrett, who protested and asked the judge how could he just tell Jarrett that he committed the crime without asking where he was at the time. Because of the seriousness of the crimes and Jarrett’s criminal background, the judge told Jarrett that he would have “plenty of time to address his case in open court at a later date.”

According to Walker police, Jarrett is also a suspect in the murder of a 40-year-old woman who was found dead in late May at a construction site. He also served 30 years in prison in Pennsylvania, a portion of that time for felony murder.

First-degree home invasion is very serious offense, leaving the defendant to face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, along with substantial fines. In addition, this time may be served following any sentence given for the underlying crime, such as larceny. While any serious or violent crime requires the legal support of a skilled defense attorney, first-degree criminal sexual conduct is a charge that leaves the accused facing up to life in prison if convicted.

First-degree CSC involves penetration, and is a highly serious charge. While rape and other sex crimes do happen every day in our country, there are also many people who are wrongly accused of these types of crimes. While it is not likely in this case, there are many people who out of rage or spite will accuse others of rape or some other form of sexual abuse.

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According to a news release issued on Tuesday, June 3 by the Cass County Attorney’s Office, a 45-year-old Walker, Minnesota resident has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for raping a woman. Darren Joseph Sayers pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony charge.

Sayers is accused of having sexual intercourse with a woman who was mentally impaired or physically helpless in September of last year. Sayers was convicted of a gross misdemeanor for harassment, stalking, and intent to injure in 2009. News reports indicate that once released from prison, Sayers will be required to register as a predator. Minnesota’s BCA (Bureau of Criminal Apprehension) predatory offender registration is similar to Michigan’s sex offender registry in that the public is given access to the names, addresses, and other information regarding individuals who are considered predators or a potential danger to others. Ultimately, both registries work to enhance public safety.

In Michigan, an individual who is accused of engaging in a sexual act that involves penetration with someone who is physically or mentally incapacitated may be charged with first- or third-degree criminal sexual conduct, depending on the details of the case. First-degree CSC is the most serious of all sex offenses in Michigan, and is punishable by a maximum prison term of life in prison. An individual found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct may face up to 15 years behind bars. In either case, it is likely the defendant will be required to register as a sex offender for a specific time period or for the rest of his or her life, depending on the crime.

Being labeled a sex offender negatively impacts a person’s life far more than he or she would ever imagine. Anyone, including friends, neighbors, employees, or co-workers, can find information about registered sex offenders online. Sex offenders often cannot possess firearms, and can only live where it is permitted. Employment opportunities are severely limited as well.

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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.

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