A White Lake Township man is in jail after police say his ex-girlfriend was assaulted and sexually assaulted last Friday, following a 5 a.m. 911 call from a minor child. Officers went to a mobile-home park after the call and took a suspect into custody. The victim, described by police as a 38-year-old woman, was examined by investigators while the alleged suspect remained locked up pending court action.
According to The Oakland Press, the defendant has been identified as 40-year-old Cory Alan Leffingwell. He is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct by force or coercion, and with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. The outlet reports that Leffingwell is being held at the Oakland County Jail on $200,000 bond, with a probable-cause conference set for next Tuesday and a preliminary exam scheduled for June 2. Prosecutors have not filed a plea in the case, the article notes.
Where it happened
Police say the alleged attack took place in the 3000 block of Silver Leaf Lane, inside the Cedarbrook Estates mobile-home park off M-59 near Bogie Lake Road in White Lake Township. Listings for Cedarbrook Estates place Silver Leaf addresses in the 48383 ZIP code, northwest of Pontiac, according to MHVillage. Neighbors in the area did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Police response and investigation
White Lake Township police told The Oakland Press that HAVEN of Oakland County and the Oakland County Sheriff’s forensic science lab assisted detectives with the case. Lt. Jeffrey Way is quoted as describing how officers interviewed witnesses and collected evidence at the scene. Authorities say the child who called 911 stayed with family members while investigators worked.
Charges and what they carry
Under Michigan law, third-degree criminal sexual conduct is a felony that carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Assault with intent to do great bodily harm, less than murder, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The statutory language for those offenses appears at MCL 750.520d and MCL 750.84. Any eventual sentence, if there is a conviction, would depend on the evidence presented in court and the defendant’s criminal history.
What’s next and where to get help
Leffingwell’s next Tuesday probable-cause conference will determine whether the case is sent to circuit court, and the June 2 preliminary exam is set in district court. For information on court procedures and schedules, visit the Oakland County Courts website. Victims of domestic or sexual violence can reach out to HAVEN of Oakland County, which provides a 24/7 crisis line and shelter services, at HAVEN, or call 911 in an emergency.
