Ft. Dix Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Assault

TRENTON, N.J. – A Ft. Dix, New Jersey, man was arrested by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service at a U.S. Marine training facility in Pensacola, Florida, on charges that he allegedly sexually assaulted two young women at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced today.

Michael C. Taylor, 19, of Fort Dix, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse by force and two counts of abusive sexual contact. He had his initial court appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles J. Kahn Jr. in Pensacola, Florida, federal court. He will have an initial appearance and arraignment in Trenton federal court at a date to be determined.

According to the indictment:

On March 15, 2014, Taylor caused two individuals to engage in sexual acts by the use of force, and also caused one of the individuals to engage in sexual contact by the use of force. At the time of the alleged offenses, Taylor, who is now a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, was living in military housing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a military dependent.

The three counts of sexual assault each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. The two counts of abusive sexual contact each carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, under the leadership of Detachment Commander Matthew J. Sarkissian, with the investigation leading to the indictment.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly Lorber of the U.S. attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.