Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog

August 13, 2013

Kalamazoo Judge Hands Down 62-year Sentence in ‘Brutal’ Sexual Assault

In January, three men allegedly broke into a woman’s Kalamazoo Township apartment committing home invasion, rape, and kidnapping. Now, 32-year-old Danny Paul Vinson has been found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and other charges. On Monday, Vinson was sentenced to 62 years in prison by Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge J. Richardson Johnson, who said the trial was “one of the hardest I’ve ever had to sit through” according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Two other men, 38-year-old LaFunta Summers and 21-year-old Curtis Hankton, were involved in the January 22 break-in at the victim’s home at Big Bend Apartments on Gull Road. Armed with a shotgun, the three men are accused of beating and sexually assaulting the woman during the home invasion, then dropping her off at a Watervliet hospital.

The news article states that Vinson used the barrel of a shotgun to sexually assault the victim, while holding a gun to her head. Diane Hungerford, Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor, said she had never encountered a more atrocious set of facts in her three decades as an assistant prosecutor. She went on to say that Vinson deserves to never get out of prison.

In addition to first-degree CSC, Vinson was also found guilty of first-degree home invasion, armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment, assault with intent to commit great bodily harm less than murder, felony use of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm.

In sentencing the defendant, Johnson gave Vinson 35 to 75 years for first-degree CSC; he was sentenced as a fourth-time habitual offender. Sentencing for other charges will run concurrently with each other but consecutive to his CSC sentencing. Ultimately, Vinson will remain in prison for 62 years before he will be eligible for parole.

Penalties for sex-related offenses are extremely harsh in the state, a fact all Michigan sex crime attorneys are keenly aware of. When an individual is convicted as a habitual offender, the consequences are even more serious.

August 6, 2013

Lansing-area Doctor Sentenced to 7 to 16 Years for Sexual Assault of Patients

by Scott Grabel

On Wednesday July 31, 54-year-old Kassam Hallak was sentenced by Eaton County Circuit Court Judge Janice Cunningham to seven to 15 years in prison for sexual assault. Hallak, a physician at the Charlotte Medical Center and Urgent Care, has now lost his medical license. He was convicted in June for assaulting seven women, most of the assaults taking place a the clinic.

Jurors convicted Hallak on eight of 11 charges filed against him, including six counts of fourth-degree CSC, one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct which reportedly involved a 12-year-old girl. One of the victims said that Hallak raped her in an examination room. Along with serving prison time, Hallak will be required to register as a sex offender and be electronically monitored for life.

Some of Hallak’s alleged victim’s spoke at his sentencing on Wednesday according to a news article at the Lansing State Journal. One woman stated that she had continued to work toward forgiveness, and that, “It is my time to heal and it is (Hallak’s) time to be punished.”

Hallak’s attorney, Elias Muawad, said that Hallak will appeal the suspension of his medical license. As he exited the courtroom, he briefly waved to his family. Kelly Morton, Eaton County Assistant Prosecutor, said that the result was satisfactory, and that the prosecution was glad Hallak would be held accountable and never practice medicine again.

Michigan sex crime lawyers know this is exactly the type of outcome that is all too common, and an example of what can happen when an individual is accused of sexual assault. Besides the typical penalties of jail/prison time and requirement to register as a sex offender, those who are convicted face a ruined reputation, and often a ruined career.

July 30, 2013

Flint Man Arrested for Human Trafficking, Police Suspect More Connections to Suspect Regarding Nationwide Prostitution Ring

by Scott Grabel

On Wednesday July 24, Donald L. Perkins was arraigned on numerous charges in connection with a nationwide prostitution sting including kidnapping and human trafficking. While Perkins is being held without bond, authorities now believe that there may have been more girls working for him than first believed. Investigations are ongoing according to Michigan State Police Detective Sergeant Ed Price of the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children, an organization headed up by the FBI.

Perkins was one of four men arrested on July 21 for suspicion of kidnapping, operating a house used for prostitution, and pandering. Police investigated a home located on West Russell Avenue, and found a 20-year-old woman in the basement, along with two 17-year-old girls who were believed to have been sexually assaulted.

A campaign known as Operation Cross Country has been in force for a decade, and is conducted under the FBI’s Innocence Lost initiative. In their efforts to shut down a nationwide prostitution ring, authorities have arrested 150 pimps across the nation so far, 18 of them in the state of Michigan. Perkins was one of the 18 pimps in the state.

A news article at Mlive.com indicates that authorities believe Perkins invited teens to a party before taking them captive and forcing them to perform sex acts at various locations over a period of several days.

Perkins is being held without bond at the current time.

Michigan prostitution lawyers understand the seriousness of these types of crimes, and the harsh consequences individuals face if convicted of prostitution or solicitation.

July 17, 2013

Bay City Man Accepts Plea Agreement in Sexual Assault of Saginaw Girl

by Scott Grabel

On Monday July 15, David J. Zuriel Jr. pleaded no contest to three counts of third-degree CSC by force or coercion before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Robert L. Kaczmarek. Zuriel was initially charged by prosecutors with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against someone under the age of 13 in connection with the alleged assault of a young girl from August of 2006 through December 2008 in Saginaw. Prosecutors dropped these charges in exchange for Zuriel’s plea agreement.

In September of 2012 Zuriel attended a preliminary hearing in which prosecutors were successful in securing a ruling that probable cause was demonstrated which meant Zuriel would be tried in Circuit Court. The defendant, who is 33 years old, was jailed without bond at that time.

The original charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against Zuriel carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. Due to the fact that the charges were reduced to third-degree CSC (which also involves penetration), the maximum penalty is 15 years in prison. However, the defendant did acknowledge his status as a second-time habitual offender, which means he could potentially spend 22 1/2 years in prison.

There is no sentence agreement; Zuriel is scheduled for sentencing on August 19 by Judge Kaczmarek.

For most Michigan sex crime lawyers who are truly dedicated, the primary focus is having the charges against their clients dismissed when possible. However, there are circumstances in which it may be advantageous to plead to a lesser charge, particularly when strong evidence exists and a conviction is likely. This can greatly reduce the number of years an individual will spend behind bars.

July 15, 2013

Clark Lake Man Sentenced to 14 to 30 Years for Rape of Young Girl

by Scott Grabel

On Thursday July 11, Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced William Lindemeyer to 14 to 30 years in prison after the defendant pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in May. Lindemeyer allegedly sexually assaulted a girl who was 9 years old at the time, forcing himself on the victim 20 to 40 times according to a news article at Mlive.com.

In June of 2012, Lindemeyer was charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, however prosecutors dropped the charges when the defendant pleaded no contest. Because of this, the alleged victim did not have to testify.

Apparently Lindemeyer lived with the young girl and her mother, who has since had her parental rights terminated. In April of 2012, a complaint was received by Children’s Protective Services regarding the alleged sexual assault.

News reports also claim that the young girl contracted the sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia, although Lindemeyer’s attorney argued that the disease was transmitted to the girl by someone else. Court records do indicate that a second man who is now in prison for CSC in a separate case also sexually assaulted the girl. An aunt is now in charge of caring for the girl and her 12-year-old brother.

The children’s father allegedly physically abused and tortured the children, losing parental rights long ago. Court records indicate that the girl’s mother was aware of the sexual abuse inflicted by Lindemeyer, but was afraid of him and therefore did not report the abuse to law enforcement.

Michigan sex crime attorneys are fully aware that there are individuals who are literally monsters and who do horrible things to children. However, there are many cases in which innocent people are accused of doing unthinkable things to others, often charged with serious crimes they did not commit.

July 9, 2013

Oakland County Sheriff’s Officials Say Young Girl’s Story of Kidnapping, Rape, and Assault a Farce

by Scott Grabel

On June 26, Oakland County sheriff’s deputies responded to McLaren Hospital after a 14-year-old Pontiac girl claimed she had been abducted by two teen males and raped the night before. Now, sheriff’s officials believe the story was an elaborate lie.

The girl claimed that after being abducted by the teens, who were 15 years old, she was assaulted, raped, and held captive. The girl was allegedly walking in Pontiac near Rundell when the two boys allegedly “kidnapped” her and held her prisoner in a townhouse until the following morning. In a release issued on Monday July 8, sheriff’s officials said the shocking story turned out to be a farce. They went on to say that the alleged victim admitted that she knew both of the boys, and that she had sexual relations with them willingly. The girl apparently wanted to avoid getting into trouble with her mother because she had not come home the previous night, so she reported the fabricated story.

According to a news article at Mlive.com, police intend to seek a warrant so they may charge to girl with filing a false police report.

Michael McCabe, Oakland County Undersheriff, said on Monday that, “In Michigan, no one under the age of 16 can ‘consent’ to have sex and it is technically a violation of the Michigan (criminal sexual conduct) statutes.” In other words, even though the two 15-year-old young men and the 14-year-old girl agreed to have sex, their ages prevent them from consenting legally. Authorities intend to thoroughly review the case.

This situation is one of the worst nightmares for Michigan sex crime attorneys, and unfortunately it happens all too often. The two young men accused of kidnapping the victim, raping her, and holding hostage may very well be charged with criminal sexual conduct, even though the girl willingly had sex with them by her own admission. In Michigan, it is a criminal offense to have sexual relations with someone younger than 16 years old, regardless of consent. While juveniles are not usually charged with a crime, they may still be charged with a delinquency action and subject to harsh criminal penalties.

July 3, 2013

Registered Sex Offender Charged After Attempting to Lure Children at Park; Detained by Boys’ Parents

by Scott Grabel

Chad Eric Servis, a 42-year-old Wyoming resident, was recently charged with two counts of accosting children for immoral purposes as a repeat offender after allegedly attempting to get three boys who were under the age of 16 to go with him to a secluded area of Ideal Park. The boys were playing basketball on a court near the park when the incident took place.

According to a news article at Mlive.com, the boys did not go with Servis, but went and told their parents about Servis. At that point, the parents along with other family members went back to the park and located Servis, then detained the suspect until police arrived on the scene.

Wyoming police said that Servis had items in his possession which were sex related, including handcuffs, lubricant, a blindfold and other items. If convicted, Servis could spend up to 10 years in prison. Wyoming Police Officer Jonathan Durall said that the suspect admitted that he was sexually attracted to young boys.

The incident occurred on June 29 at approximately 7 p.m. Servis was arraigned on Monday July 1 in Wyoming District Court, and is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Kent County Jail. A probable cause hearing has been scheduled for July 10.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know that in situations such as this one, the suspect will likely face more severe penalties than usual because of the fact he is a repeat sexual offender. Sex offenses are punished severely in the state of Michigan, particularly those involving minors. However, in cases where there is no hard physical evidence, it can also be a case of one person’s word against another, which means many innocent people sit behind bars today for crimes they did not commit.

June 21, 2013

Kalamazoo School Custodian to Spend 10 to 15 Years in Prison for Sexual Assault, Child Pornography

by Scott Grabel

Steven M. McAllister, a 55-year-old Kalamazoo resident, will likely spend 10 to 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to sexual assault and child pornography on Friday June 7 in Kalamazoo County Court. McAllister, a Kalamazoo Public School custodian, was charged with ten felony offenses including two counts of first-degree CSC, one count of using a computer to commit a crime, and six counts of possession of child sexually abusive material. He was also charged with one count of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.

The charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and assault are connected with a separate case in which a juvenile reported in December of 2012 that he had been sexually assaulted by McAllister. Upon investigating the allegations, police executed a search warrant and uncovered images of child pornography on computers that were taken from McAllister’s residence at 1519 Howland Avenue, according to a news article at Mlive.com.

Four of the six counts of possession of child sexually abusive material are to be dropped at McAllister’s July 1st sentencing under the terms of the plea agreement. A count of second-degree CSC was added in the sexual assault case, which McAllister pleaded no contest to; at his July sentencing, the initial three counts will be dismissed. Ultimately after McAllister’s plea agreements, he will be imprisoned for 10 to 15 years, his sentences in the two cases to run concurrently.

According to police, there was no indication that any victims attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, where McAllister had been employed for 20 years as custodian at Edison Elementary School.

Michigan sex crime lawyers understand that people do commit heinous sexual crimes involving children; still, there are many individuals who are innocent and falsely accused of these types of offenses who have their reputations, careers, and lives ruined forever.

June 17, 2013

Buena Vista Township Teen Faces Possible Life in Prison for Alleged Rape of 13-year-old

by Scott Grabel

Tyler D. Hardy, an 18-year-old Buena Vista Township man, has been charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in the mobile home park where he and the alleged victim live. If convicted, Hardy could face life in prison.

Hardy and the young girl live in the Robin Glen Mobile Home Community according to Buena Vista Police Detective Sgt. Greg Klecker. Hardy allegedly raped the victim in the mobile home park on June 4, according to a news article at Mlive.com. The suspect was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct causing personal injury, and third-degree CSC against someone ages 13 through 15. Klecker stated that Hardy denied the charges, but that the girl’s injuries supported the case.

A plea of not guilty was entered on Hardy’s behalf by Saginaw County Chief District Judge M. Randall Jurrens at Hardy’s arraignment hearing on June 11. He is being held without bond, and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 24 before District Judge Kyle Higgs Tarrant.

In the state of Michigan, engaging in a sexual act with anyone under the age of 16 is considered a felony offense. Even when an individual who is underage agrees to sexual relations, it may leave an alleged offender facing serious criminal charges as minors who are younger than 16 cannot legally consent to any form of sexual activity.

Known as statutory rape, this sexual offense is considered criminal sexual conduct. First-degree CSC is the most serious of all sex-related offenses, and may leave the accused facing up to life in prison if convicted. Third-degree criminal sexual conduct carries potential prison time of up to 15 years. All allegations of sexual misconduct should be taken very seriously by those accused.

June 7, 2013

Ypsilanti Township Man Bound Over for Trial in Washtenaw County Circuit Court in Criminal Sexual Conduct Case

by Scott Grabel

Travis Applewhite, a 27-year-old Ypsilanti Township man, recently waived his right to a preliminary hearing in a case involving alleged criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13 in the second-degree. At his May 30 court appearance before Judge Richard Conlin for a preliminary examination of the evidence against him, Applewhite stood mute and requested a plea of not guilty be entered by the court on his behalf.

Applewhite was arrested and charged with second-degree CSC on May 7 following an alleged assault which was reported to have taken place in March of this year at an Ann Arbor residence, according to a news article at AnnArbor.com. The defendant told Magistrate Thomas Truesdell at the time of his arrest that there were no other criminal charges pending against him, and that he had never been convicted of a felony offense.

Applewhite’s bond was set at 10 percent of $5,000, although he remains at the Washtenaw County Jail. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for June 12 before circuit court Judge Archie Brown.

If convicted, Applewhite could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison.

Michigan sex criminal defense lawyers know that the potential consequences for anyone accused of a sex-related offense are serious and often life-changing. Not only may an individual face a lengthy prison sentence, he or she may also be required to register as a sex offender. Registered sex offenders are often shunned by society; obtaining employment or even housing can be difficult. Individuals convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct may find themselves facing 15 years behind bars, and a lifetime of electronic monitoring.