Dowagiac man to be sentenced for sexual assault

A Dowagiac man with a history of sexual abuse is facing a mandatory 25 years for assaulting a 9-year-old child.

Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge found Timothy Solloway guilty in bench trial last week, on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of violation of the sex offender registry. The CSC conviction is a life offense that carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. The sex offender registry violations carry up to seven years in prison.

Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle tried the case for the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.

Testimony at his two-day trial revealed that the child reported being sexually assaulted by Solloway while visiting the defendant’s residence in July of 2013. A few days later the victim reported injuries to summer school officials and was taken to the hospital by his mother. A nurse examined the nine-year-old and indicated there were injuries consistent with sexual assault, including tears and abrasions.

The victim indicated that Solloway threatened harm if the child revealed the sexual assault to anyone.

During the investigation by the Dowagiac Police Department, Solloway consented to a search of his residence. Multiple cell phones were located in the home, none of which were reported on the sex offender registry. Among the evidence located and seized was a white fleece blanket, later analyzed by the Michigan State Police, and a child’s size Spider-Man pillow.

During interviews with police, Solloway admitted to depositing semen on both items but denied any sexual assault. He also admitted to having an email account and cell phones that were not reported to local law enforcement, as required by the sex offender registry statutes. Solloway stated one of the cell phones that was located under his mattress was primarily used for searching the Internet and pornography websites.

Vohwinkle pointed out Solloway’s serial raping habits as he has preyed on young children throughout his life. Solloway was previously convicted of CSC in the fourth degree and was required to register as a sex offender since 2001.

Sentencing is scheduled on Oct. 31 in front of Judge Dodge.