(WWJ) Authorities say it's a cold case solved as two Michigan men face multiple charges for the alleged sexual assault of a woman at a party in Ypsilanti, ten years ago.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Washtenaw County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) on Friday announced the case against 33-year-old Douglas Johnson IV, of Flint, and 32-year-old Rapheal Holman, of Taylor — charged with raping the same woman on the same night, in 2013.
In April of 2013, the AG's office said Johnson, Holman and the victim were all attending a gathering with several other people, when the victim eventually fell asleep on the couch.
She woke up in morning on the floor without her pants on, investigators said, and was concerned that she had been sexually assaulted.
The woman went to the hospital for a sexual assault kit examination. When The the kit was later tested as part of the SAKI project in 2017, officials said, that's when a DNA match came back for both Holman and Johnson.
“This is the kind of case we are only able to bring charges for through the incredible dedication and vital work of our SAKI teams throughout the state,” said Nessel, in a news release. “Ten years after this assault we are still able to bring charges, and I want other survivors out there to see that. That is possible because of the tremendous work and determination of teams like the Washtenaw SAKI team, whose efforts I am grateful for and applaud.”
“We’re grateful for the phenomenal work our SAKI team is doing on these cases with the support of the Attorney General,” added Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit. “We are committed to ensuring justice for sexual assault survivors—no matter how long it takes. And we will.”
Holman and Johnson are each charged with the following: one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct - first degree (multiple variables – accomplices and/or personal injury); one count of CSC - second degree (multiple variables – accomplices and/or personal injury); one count of CSC - third degree (incapacitated victim); one count of CSC - four degree (incapacitated victim).
The Washtenaw SAKI project is funded by the Michigan Legislature and involves a partnership between the Attorney General’s office, the Michigan State Police, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, and SafeHouse Center, a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and their children in Washtenaw County.
The AG's office said the SAKI project uses the "nationally recognized" best practice "team approach” to the re-investigation and prosecution of cold-case sexual assaults. The team consists of a special assistant attorney general, investigators employed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, a victim advocate employed by SafeHouse Center, and local law enforcement who initially responded to the report.
Related
Related
