Judge Dismisses Sex Charges Against Mateen Cleaves

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge has dismissed all charges against former Michigan State basketball star Mateen Cleaves, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman after a charity golf event.

Judge Cathy Dowd in Flint, Michigan, said Monday there wasn't enough evidence to send Cleaves to trial. Prosecutors can appeal.

A woman said she twice tried to get away from Cleaves but was pulled back into a motel room and sexually assaulted in September 2015. A witness confirmed that she saw the woman try to escape a room at the Knights Inn near Flint.

On the witness stand, Mundy Township police sergeant Todd Johnson said the alleged victim told him she and Cleaves had sexual relations, but when he asked her specifically, she said she had not been assaulted.

When Johnson was asked under oath if he told his deputy chief that the woman told that to him -- he was less direct -- simply saying, "I believe so."

Cleaves' defense attorney Friday called for charges against his client to be dismissed.

Cleaves, who is out on bond, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he and the woman had consensual sex.

Cleaves released a statement following the ruling.

"I am grateful to my wife, my friends and family, my lawyers Frank Manley and Danielle McCluskey and my community for their unwavering support," The statement reads. "I am thankful that justice was served."

Cleaves led Michigan State to the NCAA basketball championship in 2000, winning the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 14th overall pick and appeared in 167 games for four NBA teams.

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