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A Michigan State University medical resident is accused of sexually assaulted two women at the university health center and forced them to watch videos of him pleasuring himself, according to Lansing State Journal.
Michael Phinn, 32, a graduate of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and was serving a post-graduate neurology residency under the supervision of the college.
What Happened?
32-year-old Michael Phinn is accused of using his fingers to penetrate the women and groped their breasts from underneath their bras, according to MSU Police Detective Sam Miller.
Miller also stated that Phinn forced the victims to watch videos of him mas******ing as his genitals exposed. Detroit Free Press reported that when one of the women tried to get up and leave, Phinn held her down by her shoulders and continued showing her the photos and videos.
Phinn is charged on Tuesday, October 9 with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with the intent to commit sexual contact, two counts of gross indecency and four counts of aggravated indecent exposure.
MSU Police Chief Jim Dunlap said on Friday, October 12 that the reported victim was not a patient at the Clinical Center.
Phinn was suspended from clinical duties after the allegations surfaced, university spokeswoman Emily Guerrant said. MSU’s Title IX office also is conducting an investigation.
Along with working on MSU’s campus, Phinn also treated patients at Sparrow Hospital and has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to spokesman John Foren.
“These are serious and concerning allegations, and Sparrow Health System pledges its full cooperation with law enforcement authorities. The resident has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, pending results of the investigation underway,” Foren said Friday afternoon.
MSU’s online crime log showed three separate reports for sexual assaults at the clinical center. Two were for incidents that occurred on September 25, and one was for an incident on September 27.
Who Is Michael Phinn?
According to an archived MSU profile, Phinn graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in physiology in 2008 and with an osteopathic medical degree in 2016. His recent profile has been taken down from the website by MSU.
Phinn worked in the MSU Neurology Clinic and is married to wife Elizabeth. They also appear to have a child together.
He has a valid educational medical license in osteopathic medicine and surgery in Michigan, according to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
He has no open complaints and has not received any disciplinary actions.