An Eastern Michigan University track athlete, Eli Burdette, is facing three sexual assault charges resulting from incidents that reportedly took place between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 a.m. Saturday at Peninsular Place apartments.
As of Monday morning, Burdette has been suspended from all practice and competition activities with the EMU track team, the university said in a statement.
The student-athlete is barred from campus while EMU’s office of Student Conduct and Community Standards investigates the matter.
Burdette was arraigned Sunday morning in the 14 District Court and formally charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and a separate count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, reported MLive Sunday, Nov. 16.
The head coach of EMU’s men’s track team, John Goodridge, would not comment about Burdette.
According to a crime report given to MLive by the Ypsilanti Police Department, the crimes were reported to police at 6:39 a.m. Saturday.
The victim reported that she was sexually assaulted and was prevented from leaving her apartment by the known subject. Once the subject left the apartment the victim was able to call the police.
It was reported that Burdette was arrested without incident.
Bond was set at $20,000, Monday, Nov. 17. Burdette posted bail and was released from Washtenaw County Jail.
Burdette and the victim both live in Peninsular Place apartments. During the arraignment, Burdette is not allowed to have contact with the victim. He was allowed to retrieve personal items from his apartment but was escorted by police and now Burdette is not allowed to return to Peninsular Place apartments until the court allows him to.
A preliminary examination of the charges has been scheduled for Nov. 25 at 8:30 a.m. The State of Michigan Penal Code states that first-degree criminal sexual conduct involves penetration. It is a felony that is punishable by up to life in prison.
