FERNDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — On Thursday a woman who has accused a Center Line police officer of sexually assaulting her told her story in court as part of a preliminary hearing.
“He told me he wanted to do this since we first met,” the woman said.
The 35-year-old woman told the court she was drinking with Officer George Tackett and his girlfriend the night the alleged assault took place. She says she was going to get a Uber home when Officer Tackett offered to give her a ride.
She says once at her home Office Tackett helped her use a lock-box to get a key to get into her home. According to her once she opened the door to her home Tackett guided her into her bedroom.
“You told this detective didn’t you that he guided you,” said defense attorney for Officer Tackett, Kimberly Stout.
“Yes,” the woman said.
"Willingly into you bedroom?” Stout said.
"Not willingly just more confused because I didn’t understand why he was still there,” the woman said.
The woman told the court that she repeatedly said no during the alleged assault.
“He pulled my breast out of my shirt, he was kissing me he had his elbow in my stomach he was holding my face,” she said.
She said he inserted his finger into her private parts without her permission.
Four days after the alleged assault the woman went to Haven in Pontiac, an organization that helps victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse. It was nine days after the alleged assault that she filed a police report.
She told the court she waited because she knew Office Tackett was a police officer, and was fearful.
"I’m afraid of him because I didn’t know if I were to say something he would show up at my house, or you know he is a police officer, I knew he had guns, I didn’t know how mad he would be that I said something,” she said.
Judge Joseph Longo found that there was enough evidence to bond the case over to trial.
Office Tackett is out of jail on bond. He has been suspended from the Center Line Police Department with pay.
