A 20-year-old Salem man was formally charged in Marion County Court Tuesday with a Class 1 felony of criminal sexual assault.
Ayden Morgan of the Mills Crossing Apartments is accused in the charge of committing a sex act against a 17-year-old Salem juvenile girl by the use of force after she had pushed him away. He was also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm without a requisite firearm owner ID card after two guns were allegedly found at his apartment during the execution of a search warrant on Monday.
Salem Police reports indicate the alleged victim knew Morgan and she had come over to his apartment earlier in the day on Sunday. She said she repeatedly told Morgan she did not want sex with him before the incident.
State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth asked that Morgan be held without bond, but Judge Mark Stedelin instead set pre-trial release conditions including GPS monitoring with a prohibition he stays at least 500 feet away from the alleged victim and her family. He was also ordered not to possess any weapons or use any drugs or alcohol.
Morgan indicated he would hire his own attorney. He is due back in court for an appearance with his attorney on July 31st.
