Former CMU wrestler faces second charge after being dismissed from team
A former Central Michigan University wrestler faces an additional charge after being accused in January of violating the Michigan Sex Offender Registration Act.
Prosecutors have now charged Zeeland freshman David A. Cheatham, 19, with receiving and concealing a stolen university parking permit.
CMU Police Lt. Cameron Wassman said Cheatham’s vehicle was issued a parking violation ticket on Jan. 12. The person who wrote the ticket noticed the permit number matched up with a different vehicle.
It was later discovered Cheatham’s vehicle never had a permit assigned to it. He was arraigned on a charge of receiving and concealing stolen property at a value less than $200.
Cheatham was dismissed from the wrestling team in January after state police said he failed to notify them he was attending CMU — a requirement of the registration act. Failing to comply with the act carries a maximum four-year prison sentence and Cheatham faces up to 93 days in jail if convicted of the most recent charge.
Cheatham was placed on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry at the age of 14 for second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 13.
He currently lives at Tallgrass Apartments, 2040 E. Broomfield Road.
The prosecution and defense will meet Feb. 23 to discuss the charges and a possible plea deal, said Risa Scully, Isabella County chief assistant prosecutor. If they cannot reach an agreement, the next step would be to set up a court date.
“At this point I don’t know what to anticipate,” Scully said. “Most cases are resolved through pleas.”
If Cheatham pleads guilty or is convicted of a felony, his sentence will be determined through Michigan's sentencing guidelines.
The guidelines divide people into categories depending on their offense. Prior record variables and offense variables are also considered, Scully said.
“If Cheatham is convicted of what he is charged with, the most he could possibly get is a maximum of four years in prison,” Scully said. “But that will not happen because his guidelines could only allow him to receive local (jail) time.”
Scully said the case is still "up in the air" and prosecutors have not yet determined what settlement to offer.
