NILES -- A Niles police officer facing felony sex crime charges is now of jail. Ivery Cross bonded out Friday morning, but he is wearing an ankle bracelet. This comes a day after his family made an emotional and public case that he's innocent.
Cross appeared in Berrien County court to answer charges he sexually assaulted an inmate while on-duty. Cross is formally charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual misconduct in the first and second degree. He's also charged with misconduct in office. Prosecutors wanted bond set at 250-thousand dollars, but the Judge set it at 100-thousand, provided he wears the ankle brace.
If convicted on the first degree charge, Cross could face life in prison.
Family says Ivery Cross is innocent. Speaking outside the courtroom Cross' mother and father say the facts in the case don't add up. Many relatives question some of the preliminary charges and challenged the integrity of the investigation.
