KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It turns out that a Kalamazoo man will stand trial for a rape that happened nearly 18 years ago because of the Kalamazoo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI).
According to the Michigan attorney general’s office, 37-year-old Shawn Hopkins is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree.
Hopkins is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl back in 2005 and was bound over on Monday, April 3 of this year to stand trial.
The now-31-year-old victim testified in 8th District Court in Kalamazoo along with the nurse who treated her and a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative investigator.
According to victim testimony, Hopkins gave her alcohol and marijuana at a Kalamazoo building used as a music recording studio. She said that Hopkins took her into a dark room, forced her to the floor and raped her.
“Bringing charges in cold case sexual assaults demands an enduring courage from assault survivors and determination from investigative teams,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “The Kalamazoo SAKI team is among the most productive teams pursuing cold case sex crimes in the state and I’m grateful for their tireless work which resulted in these charges.”
In her testimony, the victim detailed the significant long-term impact this experience has had on her life and well-being.
“The importance of the work being done by the Kalamazoo SAKI team and their counterparts throughout Michigan cannot be overstated,” said Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting. “Being able to provide justice that is long overdue for victims of sexual assault is extraordinarily important. Equally important is the fact that we know that prosecuting these cases often results in preventing future assaults on others by these men.”
Hopkins faces up to life in prison if convicted.
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