Lansing, MI - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Washtenaw County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) have announced charges against Douglas Johnson IV, 33, of Flint, and Rapheal Holman, 32, of Taylor, in connection to a 2013 rape case occurring in Ypsilanti.
In April of 2013, the defendants and the victim were at a gathering with several other people. The victim eventually fell asleep on the couch, woke in the morning on the floor, without her pants, and was concerned that she had been sexually assaulted. She went to the hospital for a sexual assault kit examination which was later tested as part of the SAKI project in 2017, when DNA was found that came back to both defendants.
“This is the kind of case we are only able to bring charges for through the incredible dedication and vital work of our SAKI teams throughout the state,” said Nessel. “Ten years after this assault we are still able to bring charges, and I want other survivors out there to see that. That is possible because of the tremendous work and determination of teams like the Washtenaw SAKI team, whose efforts I am grateful for and applaud.”
“We’re grateful for the phenomenal work our SAKI team is doing on these cases with the support of the Attorney General,” said Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit. “We are committed to ensuring justice for sexual assault survivors—no matter how long it takes. And we will.”
Holman and Johnson are each charged with one count of the following charges:
- CSC 1st (multiple variables – accomplices and/or personal injury)
- CSC 2nd (multiple variables – accomplices and/or personal injury)
- CSC 3rd (incapacitated victim)
- CSC 4th (incapacitated victim)
The Washtenaw SAKI project is funded by the Michigan Legislature and involves a partnership between the Attorney General’s office, the Michigan State Police, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, and SafeHouse Center, a non-profit organization that provides support and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and their children in Washtenaw County. The SAKI project uses the nationally recognized best practice “team approach” to the re-investigation and prosecution of cold-case sexual assaults. The team consists of a special assistant attorney general, investigators employed by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office, a victim advocate employed by SafeHouse Center, and local law enforcement who initially responded to the report.
Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.