Belleville man charged with sexual assault of 18-year old woman

Too often, sexual encounters lead to allegations of sexual violence. A 37-year old Belleville man may be in this position now after he was arrested and charged with a number of serious felonies in connection with the alleged assault of an 18-year old woman. The seriousness of the charges will most likely require the suspect to consult a criminal defense attorney.

According to police, the accused and the woman knew each other and had a sexual encounter. Afterward, the suspect allegedly wrapped his arm around the woman’s neck and applied heavy pressure. Police claim that when the woman tried to escape, the man pressed a knife into the back of her neck and told her that if she continued to resist he would slice her throat. The man is also accused of striking the woman’s head with a closed fist and kicking her in the abdomen. The police further state that the man would not let the woman leave the apartment where the incident allegedly occurred.

The defendant was taken into custody and charged with criminal sexual assault, aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery, and use of a deadly weapon. He also faces charges for unlawful restraint and two counts of domestic battery. The accused man is also facing two previous charges of domestic battery, but neither is related to the current assault. Those charges have not been resolved.

The charges in this case are serious, and the evidence appears to be strong. Nevertheless, the defendant is entitled to be presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Persons facing such charges may benefit from consulting a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney for an evaluation of the evidence in the case and an estimate of the likelihood of obtaining a favorable plea agreement or outright acquittal. No matter how damaging a case may seem, there are usually defense options available to accused individuals, which may include suppressing evidence, attacking witness credibility, and using case law to one’s favor. Therefore, many find the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney to be quite valuable.

Source: Belleville News-Democrat, “Belleville man charged with sexually assaulting teen, holding knife to her neck,” Kara Berg, July 19, 2017