New details arise in MSU instructor's kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct case

The case against an MSU instructor charged with kidnapping and first degree criminal sexual conduct will proceed to trial, a local judge decided after Friday’s pretrial examination

Takashi Higuchi, an instructor and resident in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was arraigned Oct. 15 in East Lansing’s 54-B District Court on three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of kidnapping.

The charges stem from an Oct. 10 incident involving a 13-year-old Charlotte, Mich., girl.

During Friday’s pretrial examination before East Lansing’s 54-B District Court Judge Richard D. Ball, testimonies were given by the victim and the case investigator. The victim told the courtroom she and Higuchi met on the Internet and arranged to meet to “hang out.”

She said she voluntarily got in his car, but told him she wanted to go home while in the car. He took her to his apartment, where the two had intercourse. She had her cell phone, but did not make any calls or send any text messages, she said.

East Lansing police Officer James Phelps, the case investigator, described the arrest and said Higuchi was “adamant” in saying the victim was 18 and appeared surprised when police told him her age.