EDITOR'S NOTE: This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: As of Monday afternoon (June 24) Neil Friske has not been formally charged with any crimes. According to The Washington Post , The Lansing Police Department on Friday requested felony charges of sexual assault, assault and a weapons offense.
A Michigan representative that oversees the 107th congressional district was arrested in Lansing early Thursday morning.
Neil Friske was released from jail Friday morning but an investigation continues into allegations against him including possible sexual assault and weapons violations.
No charges have been filed. Lansing Police Public Information Director Jordan Gulkis told the Detroit Free Press the department intends to present its case to the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office Friday for review.
"This morning, it was brought to our attention that Representative Friske was arrested and being held," read a statement attributed to Friske's campaign. "As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right. We do not have any details, besides what the media sourced, oddly before anyone of us knew anything."
Friske's arrest comes ahead of election season where's he's challenged from both parties. The 107th congressional district includes Emmet and Charlevoix Counties and much of the eastern Upper Peninsula.
North Central Michigan College Political Science Professor Scott LaDeur said the results of the August republican primary will show how much the incident ends up swaying voters.
“If you are a Republican primary voter, and you like Neil Friskies ideas, but you are more hesitant after this arrest and possible charges, you might be able to say, 'Well, I can vote for the other Republican in the primary, and I can still get most of the same beliefs and representation in Lansing,” Ladeur said.
Friske and his opponents – republican Parker Fairbairn, and democrat Jodi Decker – all agreed to appear for a debate at 6:15 p.m. on Monday in the Iron Horse Cafe at North Central Michigan College. Organizers told the Petoskey News-Review they are unsure if his arrest will affect Friske's appearance.
Listen to a reporter debrief via the audio player above.
