By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – A September trial has been scheduled that could end with lengthy prison sentences for two cousins accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 23-year-old Detroit woman.
Fernando DeLon Anderson, 24 of Detroit, and his same-named 19-year-old cousin Fernando DeLon Anderson IV of Lincoln Park, were arraigned in Wayne County Circuit Court on May 31, after being bound over from 25th District Court.
During a June 3 calendar conference, a jury trial before Wayne County Circuit Judge Dana Hathaway was scheduled for Sept. 19, during which the Andersons will face six felony counts each including kidnapping, armed robbery and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
If convicted on all counts stemming from the allegations that – on March 30 – the Andersons abducted a woman at gunpoint in a Lincoln Park parking lot and drove to Detroit where they sexually assaulted her, the cousins could face up to life in prison.
Police and prosecutors said the men first contacted the woman online before meeting in the city, and the alleged assaults took place place over several hours.
The woman testified during district court hearings the cousins stole money from her to buy marijuana. They reportedly stopped at a convenience store to buy rolling papers, and images captured by the store’s surveillance cameras were made available by police before the two turned themselves in.
The men said the woman was a prostitute and that her claims were made after they had a dispute over money.
The Andersons remained in custody on $500,000 bond each. A final conference is scheduled for next month before the scheduled September trial.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])