LANSING, Mich. — Less than a day after a Republican state lawmaker from northern Michigan was arrested "for a felony-level offense" in Lansing, the county prosecutor released a statement on the investigation.
Rep. Kornelius (Neil) Friske was arrested in Lansing Thursday morning around 2:45 a.m. after police responded to a report of a man with a gun and possible shots fired, police spokesperson Jordan Gulkis told the Associated Press. Gulkis said the arrest was “for a felony-level offense.”
Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney John J. Dewane released a statement Friday morning regarding the arrest of Friske.
Dewane says that the initial investigation stemming from the report of a man with a gun and possible shots fired led officers to learn about a possible sexual assault of an adult woman.
The prosecuting attorney said the Lansing Police Department submitted a warrant request to their office Friday. Dewane has asked the Lansing Police Department to continue their investigation.
Dewane added that the county prosecutor's office is continuing "to work in coordination with law enforcement on this matter."
Friske is running for reelection and currently represents District 107 in the Michigan House, which includes Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.
Friske's Campaign released a statement on Friske's Facebook page Thursday afternoon, insinuating a conspiracy against him and saying in part:
"This morning, it was brought to our attention that Representative Friske was arrested and being held. As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right.
"We ask everyone for prayers and to stay tuned for updates directly from this campaign or Representative Friske himself.
"Thank you for the outpouring of concern and unwavering support we have received this morning. Clearly, Rep. Friske is over the target in this race."
Friske is facing challenger Parker Fairbairn in the Republican primary on Aug. 6.
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