Rep. Neil Friske released from jail amid investigation into sexual assault, gun charges
LANSING — State Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, who was arrested early Thursday morning following a disturbance in Lansing that involved a firearm and a possible sexual assault, was released from the Lansing police lockup late Friday morning as Ingham County prosecutors continue to investigate possible charges against him.
Friske, 62, declined comment as he left the Lansing police station with his attorney, Edwar Zeineh of Lansing. Friske then drove away as a passenger in a red pickup truck.
"This is a case that is getting our full attention to show actual innocence," Zeineh told the Free Press.
Records the Free Press obtained Friday through the online Michigan State Police criminal background service, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, show Lansing police requested felony charges of sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense against Friske. The lawmaker has not been charged or arraigned and it is not clear those are the charges he will ultimately face.
In a Friday news release, Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane's Office said it has requested Lansing police to continue its investigation, and prosecutors are coordinating with law enforcement on the matter.
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Friske was arrested about 2:45 a.m. Thursday in the 2000 block of Windbreak Lane in Lansing, police spokeswoman Jordan Gulkis confirmed to the Free Press. Gulkis said officers were dispatched initially to the nearby 2100 block of Forest Road to respond to reports of a male with a gun, "as well as possible shots that were fired," she said in an email.
Dewane's Office said police "learned of a possible sexual assault of an adult female" during the course of their initial investigation of a man with a gun and possible shots fired.
"The Lansing Police Department submitted a warrant request to our office on June 21, 2024, after a review of the initial investigation, I have asked the Lansing Police Department to continue their investigation. Our office will continue to work in coordination with law enforcement on this matter," Dewane said in a provided statement.
In a statement posted to Friske's Facebook page, his campaign called the arrest "highly suspect," adding "Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right."
Zeineh said he wants to let the process play itself out, but that his office will be conducting "a very thorough investigation" of what happened and will provide the results of that investigation to the Ingham prosecutor so officials there "can make a very informed decision."
Friske is a first-term Republican lawmaker representing Michigan's 107th House District, which covers all of Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties, spanning both peninsulas. He has filed for reelection and is seeking a second term in the House this fall. He is the owner of Friske and Sons Property Management, according to his website.
He is considered one of the more conservative members of the Legislature and is part of the House's Freedom Caucus. The caucus describes itself as "focused on traditional conservative values and individual liberty."
Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Rep. Neil Friske could face sexual assault, weapons charges
