For Immediate Release
Alanna Maguire Eli Savit
President, Fair Michigan Foundation, Inc. Washtenaw County Prosecutor
[email protected] [email protected]
877-4FAIR-MI 734-222-6620
Washtenaw County Man Charged With Felonious Assault, Criminal Sexual Conduct and Ethnic Intimidation of Transgender Woman
ANN ARBOR, MI – June 17, 2021 – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, with the assistance of the Fair Michigan Justice Project (FMJP), has charged James Greggs, 59, of Ann Arbor, in connection with the violent assault of a transgender woman. Prosecutors charged Greggs with one count each of Second-degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, Felonious Assault, and Ethnic Intimidation (the title of Michigan’s hate-crimes law).* Greggs was arraigned Tuesday in Washtenaw County’s 14-A District Court.
Prosecutors alleged that, on June 8, 2021, Greggs cut the victim with a box cutter, hit her in the face, and strangled her while disparaging her for being a transgender woman, and then grabbed her breasts in an effort to humiliate her. Prosecutors alleged Greggs assaulted the victim because she is a transgender woman.
If convicted, Greggs faces up to fifteen years in prison for the criminal sexual conduct charge. The Ethnic Intimidation charge—which generally covers hate crimes in Michigan—reflects legal guidance issued by Prosecutor Savit in February 2021, which directed his office to prosecute LGBTQ-targeted hate crimes under that law.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s legal guidance on hate crimes against LGBTQ persons can be found at the following link: https://www.washtenaw.org/DocumentCenter/View/19590/Legal-Guidance-Hate-Crimes-Based-on-Sexual-OrientationGender-Identity-.
The case was assigned to First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christina Hines, with the assistance of FMJP Victim Advocate Julisa Abad. The FMJP is a program that assists Michigan law enforcement officers and prosecutors in solving serious crimes against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons.
Prosecutor Savit said, “My office partnered with Fair Michigan last March specifically to address crimes against members of the LGBTQ community. We are grateful for their assistance in facing the circumstances in this case, and will steadfastly pursue justice for the victim and the community.”
Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire said, “It is tragic that this case happened during Pride Month, which celebrates the LGBTQ community and culture. The Fair Michigan Justice Project is proud to partner with the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement agencies to aggressively prosecute these ruthless crimes.”
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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