Former Michigan coach Sherone Moore was arrested after prosecutors say the incident occurred at the home of a staff member with whom she had an “intimate relationship.”
Details of what led to Moore’s arrest were revealed during a hearing Friday, Dec. 12, in Washtenaw County Court. Moore is charged with a felony count of burglary and two misdemeanor counts of domestic stalking and one count of breaking and entering without permission of the property owner.
Moore was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 4:10 p.m. ET after the Pittsfield Township Police Department responded to an incident “for investigation of an alleged assault.” The police response came less than an hour before Moore was fired. He was booked into the Washtenaw County Jail Wednesday night and remained awake until his court appearance.
Reached for comment by USA TODAY Sports after Friday’s court hearing, a Michigan State spokesperson said the school has “no additional comment at this time.”
Why was Sherone Moore arrested?
Moore was arrested after an incident at the home of a Michigan state employee with whom Moore had an “intimate relationship.” Although his name has not been made public, the employee has been named as the whistleblower.
Prosecutors said the accuser had been in a close relationship with Moore for “a number of years” and that the accuser broke up with the defendant on the morning of Monday, Dec. 8. Moore then allegedly called and texted the accuser several times and eventually provided the information to the University of Michigan.
The Pittsfield Township Police Department said in a statement that an argument escalated after Moore entered the residence through an unlocked door without permission.
“At some point shortly thereafter, (Moore) came to her apartment at the address alleged in the complaint, immediately forced his way into the apartment, proceeded to the kitchen drawers, grabbed several butter knives and kitchen shears, and began threatening his life,” said First Assistant Prosecutor Kati Rezmierski.
Rezmierski added that Moore told the accuser, “I’m going to kill myself,” “I’m going to put you on surveillance,” “My blood is on your hands,” and “You’ve ruined my life.”
Prosecutors said the accuser then called her attorney and indicated she was going to call police, and Moore left.
“The whole act was very threatening and very coercive,” the prosecutor said.
Police responded to Moore’s home about 30 minutes after Michigan announced his termination. Officers located Moore in the city of Saline, about eight miles south of where the incident occurred. Police said the man was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and then booked into the Washtenaw County Jail.
Sherone Moore charges, bail: 3rd degree burglary, stalking.
According to the Michigan Penal Code, third-degree burglary is defined as:
A person commits a misdemeanor by breaking and entering a dwelling with intent to commit a misdemeanor while in a dwelling, entering a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a misdemeanor while in a dwelling, or breaking and entering a dwelling or entering a dwelling without authorization at any time while entering or exiting, entering, or leaving a dwelling.
Moore was charged with third-degree assault for allegedly “unlawfully entering the complainant’s residence to commit the crime of stalking and committing the crime inside the residence.” Third-degree burglary is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Stalking is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine, while breaking and entering without the owner’s permission is punishable by up to 90 days in prison and a $500 fine.
Bail was set at $25,000 and Moore was ordered to have no contact with his accuser.
Michigan State Interim President Domenico Grasso said in a letter to university students and faculty on Thursday, Dec. 11, that the investigation into Moore is continuing.
