A 23-year-old man from Yemen, Abdulnasar Muthana Abdullah Muthana, is facing increased legal pressure after being accused of sexual assault against a 15-year-old girl at Lake St. Clair Metropark. Following a hearing yesterday, a judge has elevated his bond from a $50,000 personal bond to a $50,000 cash or surety 10% bond, reported by FOX 2 Detroit. In addition to the bond modification, he is now required to wear a steel cuff GPS tether upon his release.
The detailed allegations claim that Muthana harassed three teenage girls at the park on Saturday, with the situation escalating when he groped one of the girls and forcibly tried to push his hand into her pants. The minor defended herself with a kick to Muthana's groin, allowing her to flee. ClickOnDetroit highlighted the girl's actions, noting that the incident "could have been worse but for the young girl's action in defending herself."
Muthana's arrest prompted an outburst that continued during transportation to jail and at a hospital where he was taken for evaluation. His behavior included belching, screaming, spitting, and noncompliance with officers' commands—actions that led Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido to seek a higher bond and a mental health evaluation for Muthana. The latter request, however, was denied by the judge, as mentioned in reports by WWJ Newsradio 950.
Defense Attorney Bradley Friedman has contested the portrayal of his client, emphasizing Muthana's innocence and difficulties during the arrest due to a language barrier. "The way that this came out was a one-sided story because, again, the police officers could speak to the girls who spoke English, but no one could communicate with my client, and they didn't even bother to try," Friedman told the judge, as reported by WWJ Newsradio 950. He also objected to the depiction of the teenagers as "little children playing on a playground," which, according to him, was not the case.
While Muthana remains in custody, he is scheduled to return to court on May 27 for a probable cause conference. Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido affirmed the commitment to child and community safety, stating, "We will take any steps within the law and our jurisdiction to achieve that end," according to FOX 2 Detroit. If convicted on the fourth-degree criminal sexual assault charge, Muthana faces up to two years in jail and will be required to register as a Tier II sex offender.
