A former professor at Southwestern Michigan College will be arraigned this afternoon on five counts including multiple criminal sexual conduct charges over a two year period in 2015 and 2016.
Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke and Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz tell us that an individual has been arrested today and is expected to be arraigned in the Cass County District Court this afternoon on five separate counts including the following offenses:
- Count 1: Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree—Felony with penalty of Life or any term of years
- Count 2: Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree—Felony with penalty of up to 15 years
- Count 3: Practicing psychology/Counseling without a License—Felony with penalty of up to 4 years
- Count 4: Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree—High Court Misdemeanor with penalty of up to 2 years
- Count 5: Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree—High Court Misdemeanor with penalty of up to 2 years
Authorities did not indicate if the person arrested was a man or a woman. They would only say that he or she was a professor at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac at the time of the charged offenses and holds a degree in psychology.
While there was no indication as to whether the offenses took place on the Southwestern Michigan College Campus, police say it was the college itself that became aware of the situation and encouraged the victim of the assault(s) to contact law enforcement regarding the matter.
The victim then contacted the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. We don’t know if the victim was a student, a staff member, faculty or simply a visitor to the system. At any rate, the investigation was opened, resulting in the issuance of those five charges.
These incidents are charged with having occurred in 2015 and 2016, but police said no further information would be released until after the arraignment proceedings. They also remind everyone that, as in all criminal cases, this defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
*****UPDATE AT 5:30pm*****UPDATE AT 5:30pm*****
Prosecutor Victor Fitz says that George Field was arraigned this afternoon on all five counts. He says, facts in this matter indicate that the Field, who had a degree in Psychology, practiced at “The Family Center” in Dowagiac, and was a professor at Southwestern Michigan College at the time of the charged crimes.
The incidents Field is accused of are charged with having occurred at “The Family Center,” located at 56332 M 51 S. in Dowagiac and at his home, at 56350 S. M-51 immediately adjacent to “The Family Center.”
Fitz says that bond has been set at $200,000.00 cash or surety. The next court dates are 10/05/2017 at 1:30pm for probable cause conference and 10/11/2017 at 1:30pm for preliminary examination.
Anybody with additional information or evidence or any other victims related to this investigation are encouraged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at 269-445-2481 and ask for Captain Tom Jacobs.
