Michigan Sex Crime Attorneys Blog
Recently, 45-year-old Sgt. Michael E. Alexander, a Washington County, Oregon sheriff’s sergeant, was arrested for allegedly traveling to Idaho twice in 2015 for the purpose of having sex with a 15-year-old boy Alexander met through a dating app, according to authorities.
Alexander has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of investigations. News reports claim he faces once charge of enticing a child over the Internet or other communication device, and two counts of lewd conduct with a minor child under 16. Alexander was jailed on February 4 and bail set at $1 million. A spokesman with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office said Alexander turned himself in in Idaho.
Inappropriate text messages are what led police in Idaho to investigate Alexander. The alleged victim’s mother found the text messages on her son’s cell phone. Authorities discovered Alexander had come in contact with the victim via Grindr, a dating app. He then traveled to Idaho twice, once in June of 2015 and once in September of 2015, allegedly to have sex with the teenage boy.
Alexander’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 15. In Idaho, the maximum punishment for those convicted of lewd conduct with a minor child under 16 is life in prison.
Sex crimes against minors leave those who are accused facing extremely serious consequences if found guilty. In Michigan, any adult who has sex with a person between ages 13 and 16 may face up to 15 years in prison; sexual penetration with a minor younger than 13 will potentially face life in prison. Those who are convicted of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (having sex with a minor between 13 and 16) will also be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Sex acts involving penetration with someone younger than 13 is charged as first-degree CSC, and results in a lifetime registration on the sex offender list.
As is evident by the above, allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor can ruin a person’s reputation and career. In addition to losing your freedom, it’s likely family relationships will be destroyed.
If you have been accused of an Internet sex crime or offense involving a minor, do not hesitate before contacting a highly qualified Michigan sex crimes attorney. Your entire future is on the line; do not take risks when it comes to choosing a competent defense lawyer.