Former Michigan State University Basketball star Mateen Cleaves is expected to be arraigned in court Thursday morning in connection with a sexual assault. Cleaves is accused of raping a woman he met at a charity golf event last September.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy alleges Cleaves was at the golf event where he met a woman from Mount Morris, and her boyfriend. Cleaves allegedly went to a bar and had drinks with the couple and some other people.
The woman from Mount Morris got in the car alone with Cleaves, thinking they were going back to the golf club. Worthy claims Cleaves took the woman to motel in Grand Blanc, held her against her will and sexually assaulted her.
Cleaves has been charged with criminal sexual conduct second degree, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, unlawful imprisonment, and two counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree. All charges are felonies with sentences of up to 15 years each.
Cleaves led the Michigan State Spartans to the National Championship in 2000.
MSU Basketball coach Tom Izzo told the Lansing State Journal he can't see Cleaves doing what he is accused of. Izzo says he knows Cleaves well enough to know the accusations don't seem to fit. Izzo says he is "disappointed and bummed out".
Worthy's office is handling the case after the Genesee County prosecutor requested a transfer due to a potential conflict of interest with a potential witness in the case.
Cleaves will be arraigned Thursday in the 67th District Court in Flint.
