Detroit man accused of groping woman after orthopedic shoe fitting
A Detroit man was ordered to stand trial after Ferndale police say he groped a woman’s buttocks after she fitted him for orthopedic shoes.
Cedric Brown, 59, eluded police for nearly a year following the incident at an undisclosed medical business in the city, investigators said.
Ferndale 43rd District Judge Joseph Longo on Monday ordered Brown to trial in Oakland County Circuit Court on a charge of fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct.
The 30-year- old woman Brown is accused of fondling testified during a hearing Monday before Longo.
Police said Brown made an appointment to be fitted for orthopedic shoes and showed up Dec. 5, 2019.
“Af ter the appointment Mr. Brown asked the woman for a hug,” said Ferndale Police Officer Jillian Mahlmeister.
The woman agreed the hug, which quickly escalated into a form of sexual assault, police said.
“Mr. Brown reached around (the woman) and grabbed her butt with both hands,” Mahlmeister said.
The woman testified that she twice told Brown to stop.
“He refused to let go,” Mahlmeister said. “She kept telling him to let go and finally pushed him away.”
Brown left the building and the woman reported what happened to the manager, police said.
A short time later the same day, the woman filed a complaint against Brown with Ferndale police.
A Ferndale police detective tried to interview Brown, who denied he had engaged in any inappropriate touching.
Police completed an investigation and the case was turned over to Oakland County prosecutors, who is
sued a warrant charging Brown with fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct.
Police said Brown was notified by mail of the charge, but failed to respond.
It is unclear whether the suspect received the notification.
One year and nine days after the incident was reported, Brown turned himself in to Ferndale police and was arraigned Dec 14 before Ferndale 43rd District Magistrate J. Patrick Brennan.
He was released on personal bond and ordered to undergo mandatory HIV testing, a requirement for anyone facing any criminal sexual conduct charge.
Brown’s only other criminal history is a misdemeanor conviction for drunken driving, police said.
The current charge against him is a state misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a $500 fine.
Brown is scheduled to be arraigned for trial at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 5 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Shalina Kumar.