Shortly before students began arriving at Michigan State University's campus in East Lansing, Mich. for the fall term, police announced that they had charged a man they believe committed a series of sexual assaults against female students in April and May.
Vernon resident Oswald Scott Wilder, 26, was arraigned in district court on Aug. 24 and charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, one count of gross indecency by a sexually delinquent person and being a habitual offender-fourth offense, according to a statement released by the city of East Lansing.
Judge Andrea Larkin ordered that Wilder be held without bail, according to Detroit news station WDIV-TV. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the charges.
The community was on edge after two sexual assaults and one attempted assault in spring, which police determined were connected. Each took place at an off-campus location near MSU, the State News reports. In all three cases, the women were attacked at night and dragged to a secluded location, WDIV reports.
Wilder's arrest follows months of investigation by the East Lansing Police Department, who received assistance from the Michigan State Police, the Michigan State University Police Department, the Meridian Township Police Department, the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office, the Vernon Police Department and Meijer Loss Prevention. The city says it will release additional details of the investigation later this week.
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