Sexual Assault Initiative Brings Man to Trial for 2005 Rape

Nessel Email Header FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 14, 2023 Media Contact: AG Press Kalamazoo Sexual Assault Initiative Brings Man to Trial for 2005 Rape LANSING – On April 3, 2023, Shawn Hopkins, 37, of Kalamazoo, was bound over to stand trial on 2 Counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1st Degree for a sexual assault he perpetrated on a 14-year-old girl in 2005, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. 8th District Court Judge Becket Jones heard testimony from the now 31-year-old victim, the forensic nurse who treated her and collected evidence in 2005, and an Investigator with the Kalamazoo County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The victim described being provided alcohol and marijuana by the then 21-year-old Hopkins at a building used as a music recording studio in the city of Kalamazoo. After the victim became intoxicated, Hopkins took her into a dark room, forced her onto the floor and penetrated her vagina with his fingers and his penis. The victim reported the sexual assault to her family, an officer from Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and the forensic nurse the next day. A suspect DNA profile was developed in 2005 but the suspect’s identity remained unknown until April 2022. “Bringing charges in cold case sexual assaults demands an enduring courage from assault survivors and determination from investigative teams,” said Nessel. “The Kalamazoo SAKI team is among the most productive teams pursuing cold case sex crimes in the state and I’m grateful for their tireless work which resulted in these charges." The victim traveled back to Michigan to face the person who raped her when she was a child. In her testimony she detailed the significant long-term impact this experience has had on her life and well-being. Based upon the victim’s testimony and the other evidence presented at the preliminary exam hearing earlier this week, Hopkins has been bound over to stand trial at a later date in the 9th Circuit Court. If convicted at trial, Hopkins faces a maximum penalty of up to life in prison. “The importance of the work being done by the Kalamazoo SAKI team and their counterparts throughout Michigan cannot be overstated,” said Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting. “Being able to provide justice that is long overdue for victims of sexual assault is extraordinarily important. Equally important is the fact that we know that prosecuting these cases often results in preventing future assaults on others by these men.” Anyone with potentially relevant information about this case or Mr. Hopkins is asked to contact Investigator Scott Eager by email or 269-303-8524. Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Attorney General’s Office does not provide photos of defendants, the booking photo of Hopkins was provided by the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office. ### AG logo Media Inquiries Latest Releases File a Complaint Michigan Department of the Attorney General Questions? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: Visit us on Facebook Visit us on Twitter YouTube Sign up for email updates Bookmark and Share SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences | Help This email was sent to Cb31450@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Attorney General · G. Mennen Williams Building, 7th Floor · 525 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30212 · Lansing, MI 48909 · 517-373-1100