A Niles police officer faces charges for criminal sexual conduct involving a 19-year-old male inmate. That is what Michigan State Police and Niles police revealed during a 4 p.m. press conference Monday.
Ivery Cross, who is currently suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation, is preliminarily charged with one count of first degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of obstructing justice.
WSBT learned criminal sexual conduct in the first degree means there was some type of penetration involved. In the second degree, some type of touching is involved.
Officers from the Niles Police Department and a detective from Michigan State Police said Cross was working the afternoon shift at Niles Justice Complex on March 17 when he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 19-year-old male in custody in one of the holding cells.
The prosecutor's office is expected to review the investigation Tuesday and either file the previously stated charges or amended those charges with the court.Michigan State police arrested Cross at his home in the 1700 block of Cass Street on Friday evening. Neighbors say police searched the home for hours, bringing out boxes, plastic bags, and taking pictures.
“You think you're safe in your own neighborhood, then you have a police officer next door that gets arrested,” said neighbor Mark Jann.
Cross posted $25,000 bail on Saturday.
Cross will now go before a judge on Thursday for his arraignment. Originally that was expected to happen Monday.
