Sex Assault Case Against Mateen Cleaves Delayed 3 Weeks
DETROIT (WWJ) - A hearing for a former Michigan State basketball star changed with sexual assault has been delayed for weeks.
A probable cause conference for Mateen Cleaves was supposed to be held Tuesday but lawyers say they need more time to review materials, so the case been pushed back to April 19 in Flint.
Cleaves is charged with an alleged sexual assault of a 24-year-old Mount Morris woman.
According to prosecutors, on Sept. 14, 2015, Cleaves, of Grand Blanc, was at a charity golf outing where he was introduced to the complainant, her boyfriend and several co-workers. After the outing, Cleaves and the group went a local bar where they had drinks. On September 15, 2016, at approximately 1 a.m., they all left the bar. The complainant's boyfriend gave a friend a ride home.
The woman, thinking they would return to the golf club, rode with Cleaves in his car, prosecutors said. It is alleged that Cleaves took her to a motel in the 2400 block of West Grand Blanc, in Mundy Township, held her in a room against her will, and sexually assaulted her. The woman was able to escape from the room and received assistance from another guest in a nearby room.
The case is being handled by Wayne County because Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has a conflict of interest. His office told The Detroit News that Leyton discovered his family has a business relationship with one of the witnesses.
Cleaves is charged with unlawful imprisonment (15-year maximum penalty), assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration (10 year maximum penalty), second-degree criminal sexual conduct (15-year maximum penalty) and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct (15-years maximum penalty).
Cleaves, who remains free on bond, has denied the charges.
After winning the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award when the Spartans won a National Title in 2000, Cleaves was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the 14th overall pick and spent parts of six seasons in the NBA.
