ST. JOSEPH — Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter announced Wednesday that charges have been authorized against Niles Police Officer Ivery Cross, 25.

Cross faces the following charges: one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree (digital penetration of the rectum during commission of a felony); three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (sexual contact with genitals and buttocks during commission of a felony); and one count of the common law offense of misconduct in office.

CSC first degree is a felony punishable by up to life in prison.

CSC second degree is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Misconduct in office is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

The charges arise out of an incident March 17 at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex involving Cross and a 19-year-old male he arrested for marijuana possession.

It is alleged that during the time the suspect was in custody, Cross sexually assaulted him while they were alone in the LEC bathroom.

Cross was arrested Friday afternoon.

Niles Police Department removed police department property from his Niles home, including a Taser and ammunition.

According to Police Chief Ric Huff, Cross bonded out of jail with $25,000.

He was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment Monday afternoon, but it was rescheduled for today, March 31, at 1:30 p.m. at the Niles courthouse.

This matter was investigated by detectives from the Michigan State Police’s Fifth District Headquarters in Paw Paw at the request of the Niles Police Department.

Cross was also an assistant football coach at Niles High School.

Superintendent Richard Weigel confirmed Tuesday that he is no longer employed there.