Assault

HOQUIAM, Wash. (AP) — Police say a man was carrying a dead weasel when he burst into an apartment and assaulted a man in Washington state. The victim asked, "Why are you carrying a weasel?" Police said the attacker answered, "It's not a weasel, it's a martin," then punched him in the nose and fled. The attacker was apparently looking for his girlfriend and had gone to her former boyfriend's apartment Monday where the victim was a guest. KXRO reports he left carcass behind.

One of the wrestlers found guilty in the Mishawaka High School sex assault case has been sentenced to 6 months of probation, 20 hours of community service and a 60 day suspended sentence. He must also write a letter of apology to the victim. He and five others are accused of trying to sexually assault a teammate two years ago. That is why this is in juvenile court and no names are being released. So far, four of the six wrestlers have either been found guilty or pleaded guilty in the case.  This was the first sentencing.

FERNDALE, Mich. (AP) — A Southfield man convicted of aggravated assault after authorities say he showed up uninvited at his pregnant girlfriend's baby shower and assaulted the baby's father has been sentenced to a year of probation. Twenty-five-year-old Tremere Moss-Thomas was sentenced Thursday in District Court in Ferndale. He also was ordered to pay $1,023 in fines and costs. Moss-Thomas was convicted in January following a trial. The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak reports police were called to the Kulick Community Center in Ferndale on July 10 where his girlfriend was having the shower with friends, relatives and the baby's father.

MISHAWAKA — A woman told police an unknown man sexually assaulted her in her apartment last month. The woman, who contacted police on Tuesday, told police an unknown man entered her apartment, on Mission Trail on the city’s north side, between midnight and 4 a.m. on April 22. She said the man undressed her, assaulted her, then walked out of the apartment. According to the police report, the woman filed the complaint with police Monday after spotting officers conducting a traffic stop.

DETROIT (AP) - A man who admitted to assaulting another man at a Detroit gas station because he believed the victim was gay has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Justice Department says Everett Avery of Detroit was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit. He earlier pleaded guilty to a hate crime. A message seeking comment was sent Friday to a lawyer for Avery. Authorities say Avery punched Justin Alesna in the face in March 2011. Alesna says he was in line to buy cigarettes when a man told him he was standing too close and directed anti-gay slurs toward him. Alesna says he told the man he was gay and was punched twice.

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — A juvenile court officer says he hopes to rule by next week on whether to accept a recommendation that a 15-year-old northern Indiana girl charged with assaulting a special needs student be placed in the state Department of Correction's girls school. The Valparaiso teenager was accused along with a 16-year-old girl of luring a 17-year-old boy to a house last month, placing him in handcuffs and sexually assaulting him. The Times of Munster reports the girl admitted three weeks ago to battery and confinement charges.

SOUTH BEND - A magistrate's ruling Monday closed much of the trial of four Mishawaka High School students to the public, a similar decision that was made last week in the case of two others. On Monday, Magistrate Harold E. Brueseke agreed with a prosecutor's motion to close certain parts of the case that alleges six different teens assaulted a male student in early 2010 at school. St. Joseph County Deputy Prosecutor Elizabeth McGrath said the victim, now 17, has already suffered considerable embarrassment from the publicity surrounding the case.

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — A 15-year-old northern Indiana girl charged with handcuffing at knifepoint and sexually assaulting a special needs student has been sentenced to the state Department of Correction's girls school. The Valparaiso teenager was accused along with a then-16-year-old girl of luring a 17-year-old boy to a house in April and confining him for hours. The Times of Munster reports that the girl has run away from home at least five times in the past six months.

SOUTH BEND — While listening to the NBA finals in his car Sunday night, a Walmart employee was assaulted by a man who demanded money, he told police. According to the police report, the employee was taking a break in his car at the Portage Road store about 9:40 p.m. when the armed man hopped in his car and demanded money. The employee told the man he didn’t have any money, police said. The assailant hit the man in the head with the gun then punched him in the mouth, the police report said, adding that the assailant then jumped into an unidentified dark vehicle that was waiting for him and pulled away.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Police have arrested a man suspected in two assaults on Western Michigan University's campus. School official Cheryl Roland says police made the arrest around 9:20 a.m. Saturday. The name of the suspect hasn't been released. The first assault took place at 6:50 a.m., and the second assault happened about 20 minutes later. The victim's backpack was stolen during the second attack. The Kalamazoo university had urged people to use caution and not walk alone.

The University of Notre Dame is refusing to release results from a recent sexual assault policy survey that was taken by students. Some of the survey details were given to the university-owned, student-ran newspaper - The Observer. But when WSBT requested a copy of the survey and interviews about it, we were denied. The university said the only interview they would be doing on this survey and its results was with The Observer. They declined our request for more details.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - What's in a name? Well, if it's "Sally," or "Mary," or "David," or "Steve," there can be a lot of assumptions, just based on the name and the gender the name suggests. But what about the name "Sandy"? What if you've never met Sandy, and don't have any clue as to whether Sandy is male or female? Say you hear a story about Sandy being sexually assaulted. Are your assumptions different based on whether you perceive Sandy as male or female?

The following release was issued by police on Thursday night: The Michigan City police department is investigating two reported sexual assaults that have occurred within the last week. The first incident occurred 2-26-13 approximately 11:30PM in the area of Lafayette St. and Barker Ave.  The suspects are listed as two black males. The first male is described as about 5'10” with short braids, late twenties to early thirties and light skin tone.  The second suspect is about 5'08” and darker skin tone.  This case is being investigated by Cpl. Tim Baker 874-3221 Ext. 340. The second incident occurred 2-27-13 at about 11:45PM.

DETROIT (AP) - A man who admitted to assaulting another man at a Detroit gas station because he believed the victim was gay has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Justice Department says Everett Avery of Detroit was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit. He earlier pleaded guilty to a hate crime. A message seeking comment was sent Friday to a lawyer for Avery. Authorities say Avery punched Justin Alesna in the face in March 2011. Alesna says he was in line to buy cigarettes when a man told him he was standing too close and directed anti-gay slurs toward him. Alesna says he told the man he was gay and was punched twice.

No charges will be filed against Elkhart County Commissioner Terry Rodino. That word came Wednesday from the Allen County prosecutor. A woman accused Rodino of sexual assault, but the prosecutor said after an investigation they don't believe they can prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. "This office reviewed the investigation and determined that the alleged victim admitted to prior sexual contact with Mr. Rodino. Mr. Rodino also aknowledged some contact of a sexual nature,"  Prosecutor Karen Richards said in a news release.

KENT COUNTY, Mich. - Police in west Michigan say a sexual assault cold case from 1981 has been reopened and they have a suspect. The suspect is linked to a similar crime in Elkhart County. On December 17, 1981, a 23-year-old woman was at her Kent County, Mich. home when an unknown man knocked on her door. Police say the victim answered the door to the man who was said to be 18-19-years-old asking for directions. After a few seconds, the suspect pushed his way into the home and put a gun to the woman's head.

Police have released a sketch of a suspect in a Michigan City home invasion and sexual assault. The following news release was issued by Michigan City police Thursday night: There was a home invasion/sexual assault in the 2500 block of Bruce Dr. on October 26 th 2012 at 8:30pm. The victim, a young lady pulled her vehicle into her garage, after she exited a Black Male armed with a weapon forced her into the house where he committed sexual assault and robbery. On November 1 st 2012 the victim in this incident met with the Indiana State Police in order to generate a composite sketch of the suspect.

The following release was issued by Michigan City police on Sunday afternoon: There was a home invasion/sexual assault in the 2500 block of Bruce Dr. on October 26 th 2012 at 8:30pm.  The victim, a young lady pulled her vehicle into her garage, after she exited a young male armed with a weapon forced her into the house. The suspect [described as wearing a hoodie and about 5”7' tall] robbed and sexually assaulted the victim before jumping a fence and running northbound.  Anyone who might have information reference to this case or think they might have seen suspicious activity regarding the suspect during this timeframe of the incident is asked to please call the Michigan City Police Department (219)

A Benton Harbor man, who police say bit two people during a fight Thursday morning, was arraigned on three counts Friday in Berrien County court. Lamarco Taylor, 29, faces one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon, assault using a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault. Benton Township Police and the Berrien County Tactical Team found Taylor hiding in an attic in the 1800 block of Crystal Court Thursday morning after answering a disturbance call. Both victims were treated at Lakeland Hospital for multiple bite wounds reportedly inflicted by Taylor.