Detroit Tigers Minor League Pitcher Evan Reed Charged With Sex Assault
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has announced charges against a Detroit Tigers minor league pitcher.
Evan Reed on Wednesday was charged with two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct.
Reed was with the Tigers last March when it became public that a 45-year-old woman had accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room at a Detroit casino, early in the morning of March 30.
The woman alleges that she met Reed at a Royal Oak bar, where she consumed several drinks and danced before she began to "feel odd." The next morning, the woman told police, she woke up in a Motor City Casino hotel room where Reed sexually assaulted her. When the woman got up to take a shower, Reed allegedly asked her to leave his room.
Worthy on Wednesday told reporters her office conducted "a full and fair investigation" involving surveillance tape and multiple witnesses.
"It is important to note that in any case the investigation must be thorough and all witnesses must be located and interviewed. This protocol remains the same if the alleged defendant is wealthy, privileged, a known figure or even a promising athlete," said Worthy.
Worth said Reed is charged under the theory that he is alleged to have committed an act of penetration through force or coercion.
"He is also charged under the theory that he committed an act of penetration when he had reason to know that the victim was physically helpless, or mentally incapacitated, or mentally incapable of consenting," Worthy said.
The woman allegedly didn't realize Reed was associated with the Tigers until after the incident, which was reported to police on April 2.
Reed's attorney Ben Goneck said he's shocked by the charges.
In an interview with WWJ Newsradio 950's Sandra McNeil, Goneck said the sex between his client and the alleged victim was consensual.
"There are numerous witnesses that saw her kissing him. In fact, the police department has a text message from one of his fellow teammates indicating about some act that she was doing while in the bar with him," Goneck said.
Goneck said a hotel surveillance tape shows the victim "appeared to be fine" that morning, walking right by two police officers on her way out of the hotel room.
Reed is currently with the Toledo Mud Hens, the Tigers' Triple-A farm team.
He is expected to turn himself in for an arraignment in 36th District Court Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Reed faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
