In a shocking story on Tuesday, National Champion and former Michigan State star, Mateen Cleaves, was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault in a case which allegedly occurred last September.
The charges against Cleaves, 39, include unlawful imprisonment, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The evidence in this case will show that the alleged actions of this defendant were not only criminal, but arose out of a sense of entitlement sometimes found in prominent people, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.
According to The Detroit News:
Cleaves and a group went to a local bar after the golf outing to have drinks. At 1 a.m. Sept. 15, the group left the bar. The prosecutor’s office said the woman left with Cleaves in his car, thinking they would return to the golf club.
Cleaves allegedly then took the woman to a motel located in the 2400 block of West Grand Blanc in Mundy Township and held her there against her will. He then is accused of sexually assaulting her.
The woman was able to escape from the room and received assistance from another woman in a nearby room, Worthy’s office said.
Cleaves attorney, Frank J. Manley, told The News that he expects Cleaves to be cleared.
“We think that it is beyond the pale that somebody would suggest that Mr. Cleaves would use his celebrity to take advantage of anyone when just the opposite is true after hes spent thousands of hours and dollars in aiding people in Flint, Manley said Tuesday.
