A university employee who was arraigned on counts of prostitution, accosting and soliciting pleaded guilty Wednesday in East Lansing’s 54-B District Court to a lesser charge of disturbing the peace.
University interior designer Samuel Eagan, 30, was arrested July 17 by MSU police, charged with prostitution, accosting and soliciting. According to court records, the arresting officer also is the victim of the crime. MSU police declined to comment on the case, as it remains open until sentencing. MSU police Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor declined to give a copy of the incident report to The State News, saying the case still is under investigation. The role of the arresting officer was not elaborated on by Taylor.
Under a plea agreement made Wednesday with District Court Judge David Jordon, the charge against Eagan was amended to disturbing the peace.
Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa McCormick said Eagan faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. The maximum penalty for prostitution, accosting and soliciting is 93 days in jai and a $500 fine, she said.
Although prosecutors do not issue a case unless they believe it can be proved beyond reasonable doubt, some cases, such as Eagan’s, are resolved before trial, McCormick said. Eagan’s prior history, role in the community and job were considered along with the facts of the case in reaching the plea agreement, McCormick said.
“We always take into account someone’s prior history, what they’re doing in the community, job — we take everything into account,” she said.
It is not unusual for an individual to be charged with prostitution, accosting and soliciting, nor is it unusual for that charge to be amended to a charge of disturbing the peace, McCormick said.
Eagan’s attorney, John English, declined to comment on the case “due to the circumstances.”
Eagan said he did not wish to discuss the case until its completion. His sentencing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Sept. 2 before Jordon.
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