6th Circuit orders a new trial in Grand Traverse abuse case

Wednesday, March 21, 2012  

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new trial for a man who was accused of sexual abuse at a government building of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Michigan.

Steven Anderson, who worked at Medicine Lodge, the tribe's family health clinic, was convicted of abusive sexual contact and attempted aggravated sexual abuse. A woman, who also worked at the clinic, accused Anderson of forcing her to engage in sexual activities in her office.

The 6th Circuit, however, set aside Anderson's conviction after determining that he should have been allowed to introduce evidence at his trial. He claims he had an ongoing relationship with the woman but the jury wasn't allowed to hear about it.

"In this case, Anderson’s sole defense was consent,' the 6th Circuit said in an unpublished opinion. "There were no witnesses to the offenses alleged in the indictment and no physical evidence to indicate that a non-consensual act occurred."

Anderson faced a 180-month sentence, plus 10 years of supervised release, had his conviction stood.

6th Circuit Decision:
US v. Anderson (March 19, 2012)