Overview
- Police arrested 38-year-old Benjamin Warda and he was arraigned, ordered not to contact the complaining witness, and held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
- Prosecutors say the alleged assault occurred June 13 on Warda’s boat while it was docked at a St. Clair Shores marina and involved a woman in her 30s.
- Warda faces one felony count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct by force or coercion, a charge that carries up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted.
- Grosse Pointe Public Schools removed Warda from his role as Grosse Pointe South boys varsity hockey coach and the district says it is cooperating with investigators; he also owns Detroit Premier Hockey.
- The case will move forward at a probable cause hearing on July 14, with prosecutors saying the evidence supports prosecution and some reported background details coming from unnamed sources that remain unproven in court.