Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog
Richard Wilson, a 54-year-old Ann Arbor resident, has recently been charged with 3 counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree after allegedly sexually assaulting an acquaintance. News reports state that Wilson forced a 67-year-old woman to have sex at his residence located in the 900 block of South Maple Road.
According to Ann Arbor Detective William Stanford, Wilson was arraigned on the felony charges on November 21 at the Washtenaw County Jail. Stanford also told news reporters that the woman knew Wilson due to the fact that she frequently called him to do minor repairs and odd jobs at her home, such as fixing the sink. Allegedly, Wilson wanted to take the relationship to another level according to Stanford.
On the evening the sexual assault allegedly occurred, Wilson and the woman had gone out to dinner and returned to his residence, an apartment, where Wilson then forced himself sexually on the victim, became violent and would not let her leave. Shortly thereafter, the woman reported the assault to police who began a search for Wilson. Following a brief period of hiding, Wilson turned himself in to authorities, Stanford said.
On Wednesday afternoon Wilson was being held at the Washtenaw County Jail according to jail records, which did not reveal bond information or Wilson’s next scheduled court date.
Michigan sex crime defense attorneys know that without a seasoned lawyer to defend their freedom, individuals arrested for an offense such as third-degree criminal sexual conduct face serious penalties if convicted. Substantial prison time (up to 15 years for a conviction on third-degree charges) and being required to register as a sex offender for life are some of the possible consequences for a conviction on these types of offenses.
It’s also not uncommon for acquaintances to allege sexual assault when in fact the act was consensual. Whether guilty or innocent of the charges, it is critical that those accused consult with a seasoned Michigan sex crime defense lawyer with a positive track record in these types of cases.