An Ava man was taken into custody early Dec. 5 after police were called to a motel for a reported sexual assault, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Ava Police Department.
Sgt. Aaron Williams wrote that officers were dispatched at approximately 4:28 a.m. to investigate the incident. Upon arrival, officers contacted Michael Lee Williams and conducted a brief interview before reading him his Miranda rights and placing him in restraints. Williams was then transported to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and held on a 24-hour hold.
According to the affidavit, officers then spoke with the victim, who was located in a motel room with a family member present for support. She told police she had picked Williams up the previous evening because she did not want to stay at the motel alone, and that both had consumed alcohol before the incident.
The affidavit states the victim was visibly distressed while speaking with officers. Family members transported her to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, where a forensic exam was completed. Sgt. Williams later retrieved the exam kit and placed it into evidence.
Based on the statements and evidence gathered, the Ava Police Department requested charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. The case was electronically filed in Douglas County on Dec. 5 under case number 25DG-CR00464.
Williams remained in custody pending formal court proceedings at the time of filing.
