sexual assault Archives - The Michigan Star

Minnesota Police Find 11 Illegal Immigrants in House Where Girl Reported Sexual Assault

October 5, 2023October 4, 2023 Michigan Star Staff

Police in Bemidji, Minnesota, found 11 illegal immigrants in a local house after a minor was allegedly sexually assaulted, the Bemidji Police Department said in a recent Facebook post.

The Sanford Bemidji Medical Center’s Emergency Department alerted the Bemidji Police Department to the situation involving a girl that stated she’d been sexually assaulted, according to the Facebook post. Authorities arrested Oscar Ernesto Luna, 22, who is now charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, and handed the 11 illegal immigrants to Border Patrol.

Michigan AG Charges Former Union Leader with Sexual Assault

July 2, 2023July 1, 2023 The Center Square

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged former union leader Jonathan Byrd, 40, of Battle Creek with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Byrd worked for the Michigan Laborers’ District Council, of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, where he pushed forward the repeal of Michigan’s right-to-work law after the alleged incident.

CIA Employee Told Police Alleged Assailant ‘Admitted’ to Sexual Assault, But Agency Ignored

April 23, 2023 Michigan Star Staff

The House Intelligence Committee is investigating the CIA after three female employees, who were allegedly sexually assaulted by agency employees, say they were threatened to remain silent or face retaliation, a victim’s lawyer told the DCNF.

Kevin Carroll, an attorney for one of the victims, who has declined to speak publicly about the matter, told the Daily Caller News Foundation that his client was assaulted by a male CIA employee who had tried to kiss and accost her. The employee “wrapped a thick winter scarf around my neck, strangled me, manhandled me, attempted to kiss my mouth, and throughout this assault stated words to the effect of, ‘This is what I want to do to you’ and ‘There are many uses for this (the scarf),’” she said.

Michigan High School Administrator Charged in Alleged Sex Abuse of Student

March 5, 2022March 4, 2022 Peter D'Abrosca

News that a Michigan high school administrator has been charged in the alleged sexual assault of a student was revealed Friday.

Michele Rae Erb, 45, was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student and using a computer to commit a crime. She worked for Lakewood Public Schools (LPS) in Barry County.

‘Enormous Misunderstanding’: Peng Shuai Backtracks Sexual Assault Allegation in Controlled Interview

February 8, 2022February 7, 2022 Michigan Star Staff

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai walked back her allegations of sexual assault against a former top official, calling it an “enormous misunderstanding” during a controlled interview on Monday with French newspaper L’Equipe.

“Sexual assault? I never said that anyone made me submit to a sexual assault,” Peng said in the interview with L’Equipe, delivered in front of a Chinese Olympic official, who translated her comments from Chinese, the AP reported. Interview questions were reportedly submitted in advance, and the format of the interview did not appear to permit follow-up questions.

“This post resulted in an enormous misunderstanding from the outside world,” Peng told L’Equipe, the AP reported. “My wish is that the meaning of this post no longer be skewed.”

Several Women Sue Eastern Michigan University over Sexual Assaults

September 11, 2021September 10, 2021 Peter D'Abrosca

Less than two weeks after a woman was found unresponsive in a dormitory after allegedly being raped by several men, four former students at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) are suing the school.

The women were assaulted years ago, but decided to bring suit after the latest case of sexual assault on campus. They claim that the school isn’t doing enough to combat predatory behavior.

Biden’s Education Department Won’t Enforce a Key Due Process Protection for Students Accused of Sexual Assault

August 29, 2021August 28, 2021 Michigan Star Staff

The Department of Education announced it would stop enforcing a Trump administration rule designed to protect those accused of sexual assault on college campuses.

A district court in Massachusetts upheld most of the Title IX 2020 amendments in a July ruling, maintaining new regulations related to public institutions managing allegations of harassment, assault, violence, and more. Although, the court struck down one procedural regulation related to what evidence a “Decision-Maker,” or the employee who is designated to adjudicate the case, may consider in making rulings.

Following the court ruling and a letter from the Department of Education on Tuesday, the chosen adjudicator can now consider emails and texts between the parties and witnesses, police reports and medical reports, regardless of cross-examination status at the live hearing.

Current Staffer Becomes Eighth Woman to Accuse Cuomo of Inappropriate Behavior

March 22, 2021March 21, 2021 The Center Square

A new accuser has come forward in the ongoing sexual harassment scandal tied to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. On Friday, a current staffer came forward with a series of allegations against the leader facing numerous calls to resign over similar accusations.

Alyssa McGrath told The New York Times that the governor gawked at her body and commented on her appearance. In another instance, she claimed Cuomo “gazed down her shirt.”

She becomes the second current aide to accuse Cuomo of harassing behavior. Last week, the Albany Times Union reported an unnamed individual filed a complaint that the governor grabbed her in the executive mansion last year.

Kamala Harris Told Jacob Blake, Who Is Accused of Sexual Assault, She’s Proud of Him

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris told Jacob Blake Sunday that she is “proud of him,” his attorney said, though she did not address allegations of sexual assault leveled against Blake.

Harris, who is 2020 Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, visited with Blake at Wisconsin’s Froedtert Hospital Sunday while his family joined with them over the phone, according to a press statement released by Blake’s attorney Ben Crump.

Bill Cosby Cites ‘Systemic Racism’ as He Fights Assault Conviction

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020 The Associated Press

In a nearly empty Philadelphia courtroom in June 2015, a lawyer for Bill Cosby implored a federal judge to keep the comedian’s testimony in an old sexual battery lawsuit under wraps. It was sensitive. Embarrassing. Private.

U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno had another word for it.

Michigan to Host Campus Sexual Assault Summit, Whitmer to Give Keynote

October 16, 2019October 15, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) will host the fifth annual Let’s End Campus Sexual Assault summit, according to an announcement today from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former First Lady Sue Snyder. The governor will be giving the morning keynote address at the event.

Michigan Legislators Introduce Bills to Protect Sexual Assault Victims, Help Keep Addresses Safe

October 12, 2019October 11, 2019 Jordyn Pair

Several state representatives have introduced a handful of House Bills as part of a plan that would strengthen protections for sexual assault survivors.