Sexual Assault

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.

MISHWAKA - One of the former Mishawaka wrestlers accused of sexually assaulting his fellow teammate admitted his role in juvenile court Thursday. Inside the Juvenile Justice Center during a fact-finding hearing the teen's attorney, Jeffery Haupt, said his client was ready to "accept responsibility. " This is the second teen to face these allegations. On March 13 a judge decided another former wrestler, a 19-year-old, was found guilty for his role. Prosecutors say this all happened at Mishawaka High School in early 2010.

ELKHART - A 14-year-old boy who is accused of sexual assault appeared in juvenile court for a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon. Police arrested him over the weekend on charges of strangulation, sexual battery and attempted rape. The court determined there was enough information to hold him on Tuesday. Police say two female victims filed a sexual battery report against the boy.  They say this happened in the 200 block of Indiana Avenue and in the 300 block of Wagner Avenue both in Elkhart.

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.

BENTON HARBOR - The Benton Harbor Police Department faces a federal lawsuit from a sexual assault investigation involving a former officer. Court documents claim Jared Graves assaulted 25-year-old Dominique Allen on two separate occasions at the police station and that the incidents were caught on video surveillance. Graves was arrested last year and charged with criminal sexual conduct, but committed suicide earlier this month. The lawsuit claims that Graves had previously been investigated for sexual misconduct and that he should have been removed from the department.

It has been nearly 4 decades since a 17-year-old North Webster girl was sexually assaulted, murdered and her body dumped in the Elkhart river. The investigation spanned across Kosciusko and Noble counties. Now, 37 years later, the murder of Laurel Mitchell is considered a cold case.   All Sarah Knisley has of her older sister Laurel are pictures and memories. "She was in ballet," says Knisley about her older sister. "The girl was a klutz. Couldn't walk a straight line, but she could dance.

Notre Dame students received an e-mail Sunday night alerting them about a reported sexual assault in a campus residence hall early Sunday morning. Notre Dame police are investigating. They say the victim knew the suspect.   Stay  with us for updates.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A group that helps victims of sexual assault wants Indiana legislators to enact a $5 tax for strip club customers. Erik Scheub of the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault tells WRTV-TV ( http://bit.ly/12napZJ ) that two-thirds of the state's 92 counties offer inadequate services for survivors of sex crimes. The only state funding amounts to about $25,000 a year. Julian Center executive director Melissa Pershing says Indiana's rape crisis centers are "woefully underfunded.

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.

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?