Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog

October 10, 2014

First-degree Criminal Sexual Conduct Charges Against Man Claiming to Be a Minister Dropped

On Wednesday, October 8, a single charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against Thomas Burchfield of Albion was dismissed, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Burchfield claims to be a minister at the Greater Bible Way Temple in Jackson, although detectives said that the church’s website does not list him as such.

Charges were dismissed because the 7-year-old alleged victim refused to testify at a preliminary exam last week while the defendant and his family were in the courtroom. Burchfield was charged with first-degree CSC in September; prosecutor’s intend to re-issue charges against the defendant after requesting the judge place Burchfield behind a screen and close the courtroom to observers during the girl’s testimony.

Burchfield was accused of sexually assaulting the victim as he babysat her at an apartment complex in late June of this year. A police report indicates that the girl was combing Burchfield’s hair as he sat in front of the television. Burchfield stated in an interview with police that he repositioned the girl while she was sitting in his lap so that she was on his right knee, but that he did not touch her purposely in an inappropriate manner.

October 8, 2014

Dowagiac Sex Offender Found Guilty of Molesting Child Less Than 10 Years Old

by Scott Grabel

Last week, 30-year-old Timothy Solloway of Dowagiac was found guilty of sexually molesting a child less than 10 years old, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Solloway had prior sex offenses and was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz, Solloway was also convicted on two counts of sex offender registry violations. Because of the victim’s age, the minimum mandatory sentence for his first-degree CSC conviction is 25 years. The maximum punishment for this offense is life in prison.

Solloway has been required to register as a sex offender since he was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2001. The victim was allegedly assaulted by Solloway at his residence in July of last year. Fitz’s statement also indicated that the child’s mother took the child to a local hospital, where it was found by a nurse that injuries, including abrasions and tears, were indicative of sexual assault. Fitz said that the child indicated that the defendant threatened harm if the child told anyone about the incident.

October 2, 2014

48-year-old Oakley Man Accused of Sexual Assault of Young Boys in Saginaw County

by Scott Grabel

Recently, 48-year-old Emil M. Sporcic Jr. of Oakland was charged with allegedly sexually assaulting two young boys who are now teenagers in various locations in Saginaw County.

According to a news article at Mlive.com, the sexual assaults took place beginning in January of 2010 and continuing to August of this year. Sporcic has been charged with five counts each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and third-degree criminal sexual conduct by force or coercion.

A not guilty plea was entered by Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank at Sporcic’s arraignment on September 18. He was ordered held without bond, and remains in jail. Last week Sporcic waived his right to a preliminary hearing before District Judge M.T. Thompson. A new hearing date has not yet been scheduled.

While first-degree criminal sexual conduct is the most serious charge for a sexual offense and involves penetration, third-degree CSC also involves penetration. A conviction for first-degree CSC may result in a life prison term, while third-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

The allegations against the defendant in this case are extremely serious; if found guilty, Sporcic may be sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Depending on the facts of the case and the evidence, his defense lawyer may advise him that working out a plea agreement with prosecutors may result in a more favorable outcome. However, if Sporcic is innocent of the charges leveled against him, it may be better to go to trial and prove his innocence in order to avoid criminal penalties and the requirement to register as a sex offender.

September 22, 2014

53-year-old Saginaw Man Who Served 30 Years in Prison for Rape Linked to Recent Sexual Assaults

by Scott Grabel

53-year-old Larry D. Currington of Saginaw was recently jailed without bond after being charged in three recent sexual assaults, one involving a woman in Saginaw’s Old Town district, according to news reports at Mlive.com. Currington had been in prison for nearly 30 years after he was convicted of raping a woman in downtown Saginaw in November of 1983. Following his release from prison in July of 2012, Currington had been on parole and was just released this past July.

The most recent incidents took place on August 19, September 6, and September 14, according to reports. Among other charges in the three incidents including robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and assault with a dangerous weapon, Currington is charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a weapon, three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a weapon, and one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

In all three incidents, Currington allegedly attacked women who were alone near their vehicles in the area of Hamilton Street and Cass. At the time of news reports, how police linked Currington to the attacks was not revealed. Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank entered a plea of not guilty on the defendant’s behalf.

Considering his criminal history and the fact that Currington was imprisoned for almost 30 years for rape, it is very likely he will spend the rest of his life behind bars if found guilty of the recent sexual assaults. In addition, carjacking and kidnapping are extremely serious crimes which may result in a life sentence.

Regardless of whether an individual has been convicted of a sex crime in the past or is accused for the first time, it is vital to consult with an experienced and aggressive Michigan sex crime defense attorney. The criminal penalties for rape, child pornography or molestation, and other offenses are extremely severe; your career, reputation, and future will be ruined if convicted. In many situations, innocent people are accused of crimes they did not commit.

September 17, 2014

Holland Man Staying at Rescue Mission Charged with Indecent Exposure

by Scott Grabel

Last week, 29-year-old Anthony Scott Currier of Holland was arrested and charged with indecent exposure by a sexually delinquent person after two incidents in the area involving exposure of his private parts, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Police believe Currier may have exposed himself in other incidents in the area recently; he is a registered sex offender, on the registry for life following a 2005 conviction for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ottawa County.

The most recent incidents took place between September 6th and 9th, according to reports. On September 6, Currier allegedly exposed himself near Washington Avenue and 19th Street. On the 9th, he allegedly exposed himself near Black River Public School according to the story told to police by an 11-year-old girl, although he has not been charged in the incident. Captain Jack Dykstra of Holland Police indicated that more charges may be forthcoming against Currier, who police believe is a suspect in other cases involving indecent exposure.

Holland was staying at Holland Rescue Mission most recently, according to police. He is currently held on a $200,000 bond as the investigation continues.

Indecent exposure may not seem like a serious crime when compared to other sex crimes such as child molestation or rape, however it is a serious situation – particularly when the accused is a registered sex offender, or known to be sexually delinquent. While indecent exposure is a misdemeanor offense with criminal penalties that include up to one year in jail for those convicted, the consequences could be far more serious for a registered sex offender. In fact, those who are considered sexually delinquent and who are found guilty of indecent exposure may face up to life in prison.

September 11, 2014

Retired Flint Police Sgt. Faces Numerous Sexual Assault Charges

by Scott Grabel

On Friday, September 5, retired Flint Police Sgt. Lawrence Woods was arraigned on 16 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Since that time, two more individuals have come forward with similar allegations, according to a news article at Mlive.com. As of yesterday, Flint Police were interviewing the alleged victims, according to Sgt. Karl Petrich.

The 16 counts Woods was arraigned on last week pertain to two alleged victims who were minors at the time they were assaulted during a time period beginning in 1996 and ending in 1999. Woods’ attorney, Frank Manley, said that in cases that are old such as this one and also high profile, there are questions to be answered. Considering the allegations are concerning something that allegedly happened beginning 18 years ago, it becomes suspect.

Petrich said that investigators found substantial evidence in a raid of the homes Woods had stayed at or lived in, including hundreds of photographs depicting child pornography which were not downloaded from the Internet. Petrich maintains that the photographs of victims were taken at a local hotel room and Woods’ apartment. He also said that it was believed Woods sexually assaulted the victims while he was on duty, using his position of authority over the children.

To date, four alleged victims have come forward, but Petrich believes there may be many more. First-degree criminal sexual conduct involving children results in a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for those convicted.

As all Michigan sex crime attorneys are aware, old cases such as this one truly are suspect. Why do victims wait for nearly 20 years to come forward? After this many years, gathering concrete evidence is nearly impossible. In some situations, people may fabricate stories in an effort to get publicity, or even money from the alleged offender. We will see how this plays out in the coming weeks and months.

September 4, 2014

Fairfield Student Allegedly Sexually Assaulted After Home is Broken Into

by Scott Grabel

On Monday, September 1, a female student at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield was allegedly sexually assaulted after a man broke into her home on Berkeley Road, according to news reports at the Connecticut Post.

The woman, who lives with several roommates who were not home at the time of the incident, described the man who she says attacked her as short and stocky, 5 feet 6 inches tall or shorter, with dark, spiked hair. She said that he had a Spanish accent, and she believed him to be in his 20’s. The victim required treatment at an area hospital for physical injuries she suffered during the sexual assault.

The alleged victim told police that she did not see or hear a vehicle leave her home when her attacker fled. Law enforcement is requesting the public’s help in identifying the suspect, and have released a sketch artist’s rendition of what he may look like.

August 27, 2014

Ohio Hiker Sexually Assaulted at Highbanks Metro Park in Lewis Center

by Scott Grabel

Approximately three weeks ago, an 18-year-old male hiker was walking at the Highbanks Metro Park in Lewis Center, OH when he was sexually assaulted by an unknown male. The victim claimed that as he was walking, the suspect attempted to encourage him to walk off the trail north of an overlook deck area that was approximately 75 feet away. When the victim became fearful, he began moving away from the suspect, who then pushed him to the ground and assaulted him, according to NBC4.

Kevin Savage, Captain at the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters that the park was fairly crowded at the time the assault occurred, which was around 4:30 in the afternoon.

The victim told authorities that the suspect is of Indian descent, had a slight accent, and was wearing black running shorts and a white t-shirt with black vertical stripes. He also described the man as having salt-and-pepper hair, a goatee, and nearly six feet tall, thought to be middle-aged. A composite sketch of the suspect was released shortly after the attack for help with possible identification by the public.

Today, many public parks meant for enjoyment are becoming dangerous. Parks with wooded areas give predators opportunities to sexually assault hikers, runners, and those who are simply enjoying nature. However, there are also occasions on which alleged victims wrongly accuse others of sexual assault. Determining whether someone is innocent or guilty of a sex crime can be a very difficult and involved process.

August 20, 2014

Kalkaska Man Imprisoned for Rape and Murder to Get New Trial Following DNA Tests

by Scott Grabel

A man who has been in prison for about 16 years for allegedly raping and murdering a Kalkaska woman in 1996 will now get a new trial thanks to recent testing of DNA evidence, according to a news article at Mlive.com. Jamie Peterson was sentenced to life in prison for the 1996 crimes against Geraldine Montgomery, who was 68 years old at the time she was found dead in the trunk of her car after being raped.

At the time the crimes took place, DNA technology was in is infancy. The source of saliva and semen found on Montgomery’s shirt could not be identified, although prosecutors argued that it likely belonged to the defendant, Jamie Peterson.

Last year, the Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago and Michigan Law School innocent projects concluded that Peterson had been wrongly convicted of the crime after sending hundreds of hours researching the case. DNA testing that was performed recently indicated that the saliva and semen did not belong to Peterson, but instead to James Anthony Ryan, a 35-year-old Davison man. The victim was raped before being left in the trunk of her car with the engine running.

The Innocence Clinic maintains that the DNA testing performed on the rape kit excludes Peterson as the donor. Ryan is awaiting trial on the charges, while Peterson will get a new trial as according to the judge, the DNA test results qualify as newly discovered evidence. Although Peterson made a false confession at the time of the rape and murder, his attorney maintains his client is innocent, and was never inside the victim’s home.

Michigan sex crime attorneys know all too well that suspects often confess when under duress and pressured relentlessly by police. While the most horrendous aspect of this case is the fact that the victim lost her life, being falsely accused of rape happens all too often. A man has spent many years of his life in prison for a crime he very likely did not commit, according to new DNA evidence.

August 13, 2014

23-year-old Saginaw Man Faces Rape, Robbery Charges in Connection with Incident Involving 19-year-old Woman

by Scott Grabel

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.