Fremont PD Chief Randall Wright Posts:
Chief Randall Wright
June 08, 2019 - During a Fraternal Order Of Police bus trip to the Tigers baseball game, Chief Wright was reportedly touching some of the women on the bus inappropriately. One woman reported that "“He (Chief Wright) was commenting about my body — made sexual comments about what he would like to do to me sexually."
June 2019 - Victim of the sexual assault reported the incident to the Michigan State Police - who in turn began an investigation
September 23, 2019 - News of the investigation of Chief Wright became public. Wright remained on duty. Fremont City Manager Todd Blake "said he spoke with the chief who told him the situation was a “personal issue.” Blake said the chief remained on duty and that he had no plans to change the chief’s status until he learns criminal charges have been filed."
September 24, 2019 - Chief Wright was placed on paid administrative leave, after the criminal investigation against him became public.
September 30, 2019 - Kent County Prosecutor confirmed that his office had filed a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct against Chief Wright.
October 02, 2019 - Chief Wright arraigned in KENT COUNTY on charges of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct. According to court records, the investigator had written, "Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area...This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop."
October 03, 2019 - Chief Wright arraigned in INGHAM COUNTY on charges of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct.
October 07, 2019 - Chief Wright terminated from the Fremont Police Department, after criminal charges filed against him.
November 04, 2019 - Wright waived his right to a preliminary exam in the Kent County CSC case. Wright was considering a plea deal with prosecutors.
February 16, 2022 - Former Chief Wright plea bargain in criminal sexual conduct case. Wright pled no-contest to two reduced misdemeanor charges: aggravated assault which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail and disorderly person obscene conduct which could result in up to 90 days in jail. Sentencing for Wright is scheduled for April 26, 2022.
Former Fremont police chief sentenced to jail
FOX 17, West Michigan
Apr 25, 2022
FREMONT, Mich. — The former Fremont police chief has been sentenced to serve time in jail.
Monday, a judge sentenced Randall Wright to 30 days in jail for disorderly person – obscene conduct and 90 days for aggravated assault. If Wright serves the first 30 days, the remaining 60 days will not have to be served. Wright was also granted 1 day of time served. In total, Wright will spend 29 days in jail.
Wright will also spend two years on probation.
Back in 2019, Wright was charged after being accused of inappropriately touching a woman while on a bus trip to a Detroit Tigers game. The trip had been organized by the Fraternal Order of Police.
Wright was put initially put on administrative leave, but the city council voted to fire him in October 2019.
Former Fremont police chief gets jail in sexual assault case
Wood TV
Apr 25, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The former Fremont police chief will serve about a month in jail for grabbing a woman in 2019.
Randall Wright was sentenced Monday to 30 days in the Kent County jail for disorderly person-obscene conduct and 90 days in jail for aggravated assault. In both sentences, he was granted credit for one day served. Sixty days of the second jail sentence were suspended, which means he will spend a total of 29 days in jail for both cases. He was also sentenced to two years of probation for the assault charge.
The assault happened in June 2019 while Wright and a woman were on a bus back to Fremont after going to a Detroit Tiger’s game with the Fraternal Order of Police. Speaking with News 8 in 2019, the woman said Wright was drunk but that did not excuse his behavior.
“(He was) commenting about my body, made sexual comments about what he would like to do with me sexually and he reached back with his hand and grabbed my private area aggressively,” the woman said in 2019, adding that he also rubbed his genitals against her backside.
She said she shoved him away.
Wright pleaded no contest in February to the misdemeanor obscene conduct and assault charges. Under the terms of a plea agreement, more serious charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct were dismissed.
He was placed on leave from the Fremont Police Department in September 2019 while Michigan State Police investigated the case. He was fired after charges were issued in October 2019.
Fremont PD chief takes deal in sexual assault case
WOOD TV News
February 16, 2022
The former police chief of Fremont was in court Wednesday as he took a plea agreement in a sexual assault case.
Fremont PD chief takes deal in sexual assault case
WOOD TV News
February 16, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The former police chief of Fremont was in court Wednesday as he took a plea agreement in a sexual assault case.
Randall Wright was accused of inappropriately touching a woman back in June of 2019. The alleged incident happened on a bus trip to Detroit for a Tiger’s game with the Fraternal Order of Police. The victim spoke with News 8 a few months after the alleged assault. She said Wright was intoxicated at the time.
“That is no excuse for behavior. I’ve known many men in my life who were highly intoxicated, and they’ve never been sexually inappropriate with women,” said the victim in the 2019 interview. “(He was) commenting about my body, made sexual comments about what he would like to do with me sexually and he reached back with his hand and grabbed my private area aggressively.”
After Target 8 investigators informed city leaders that the Michigan State Police were investigating the assault, they placed Wright on administrative leave in September of 2019. Wright was later fired once prosecutors issued formal charges in October 2019.
On Wednesday, Wright was in court for the 2019 allegations. He entered a no contest plea to two reduced misdemeanor charges. The first charge is for aggravated assault which carries a penalty of up to one year in jail. The second charge is for disorderly person obscene conduct which could result in up to 90 days in jail. Although the case stems from sexual assault allegations, Kent County judge Christina Elmore said the current charges would mean Wright does not have to register for the Michigan Sex Offenders Registry. The Kent County prosecutor confirms the final charges are a result of a plea deal.
Judge Elmore read further details about the case during the hearing. She said the police report also showed Wright jerked the victim’s ponytail while making sexual comments and at one point smelled her hair, making her uncomfortable. Elmore said the police report also detailed Wright pressing his genitals against the victim’s backside during the bus ride.
News 8 attempted to get comment from Wright and his attorney following the hearing, but they declined. News 8 also reached out to city and police leaders in Fremont for comment but did not hear back.
Wright is due back in court for sentencing on April 26th.
Ex-West Michigan police chief takes plea deal after woman assaulted on party bus
MLive
February 16, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A former West Michigan police chief will avoid the state’s sex offender registry after he entered pleas for allegedly inappropriately touching a woman on a party bus in 2019.
Randall Scott Wright, 50, pleaded no contest Wednesday, Feb. 16 to misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault and disorderly person-obscene conduct.
Wright had attended the Detroit Tigers “Law Enforcement Night” baseball game in June 2019, traveling on a bus from West Michigan to Detroit.
On the return trip, state police alleged he made unwanted sexual contact with a woman on the bus.
Wright initially was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, carrying a potential two years in prison and registration on the state sex offender registry for 15 years.
The charges of aggravated assault, a one-year misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a 90-day misdemeanor, carry no registry requirement.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said several factors weighed into the plea deal, including whether the victim would agree to it. She did.
“The victim was on board with it,” he said. “It has been lingering with her to, so just to move it along.”
Becker also said there was no evidence that Wright was involved in any other similar incidents. And the courts are still backlogged from COVID-19 delays, making plea deals in some cases a good option, he said.
“We found this mutually agreeable,” Becker said, referring to discussions with Wright’s attorney.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Elmore read parts of a state police report to substantiate the pleas. State police earlier said the woman reported that Wright was intoxicated on the bus.
The victim told police that Wright made comments about her breasts. She said he also leaned over and smelled her hair, making her uncomfortable, Elmore said.
At one point, the woman alleged, Wright grabbed her ponytail and jerked her head back.
“He then started making lewd comments about sexual things that he wanted to do to her,” Elmore said.
The woman also told police that, as she was getting off the bus, Wright was behind her and forcefully pushed his groin area into her back side.
She alleged that Wright asked her if she liked it. She told him no.
Wright was fired from his position as the Fremont police chief in October 2019.
His attorney, Matthew Vicari, declined comment outside the courtroom on Wednesday.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 26.
Fired police chief had good reviews before sex-assault allegations, personnel file shows
MLive
November 05, 2019
FREMONT, MI – Before he became police chief, Randy Wright, as a sergeant in 2011, wanted the job so badly he was willing to forego overtime and take on responsibilities of the chief.
He eventually got the job as police chief, along with a raise, later that year.
It all ended eight years later after a “party bus” trip in June to see the Detroit Tigers on “Law Enforcement Night.” On the way home, Wright allegedly sexually assaulted a woman while he was intoxicated.
“Please be advised that this letter serves as your notice of your termination, effective immediately …,” City Manager Todd Blake wrote Oct. 8.
The letter was among documents in Wright’s personnel record obtained by MLive in a Freedom of Information Act request.
Wright was fired less than a week after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a high-court misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison upon conviction.
Before that, Wright had positive reviews, awards, commendations and letters of praise from those in law enforcement and the community.
“He continues to strive for delivering the best law enforcement department services to the community and I know he is truly committed to it,” Blake wrote in one of his reviews.
Wright had strong leadership skills and worked hard to develop staff, work with other agencies and develop relationships with the community. The city received “many positive comments from the community of his friendliness and community-minded volunteerism,” Blake wrote.
Wright, who has a strong interest in firearms and police tactical skills, was also commended for his work with tactical teams responding to deadly situations.
He has given presentations on how the public should respond to an active-shooter event.
“Your presentation was thoughtful, well organized, informative and interesting,” a Hesperia pastor wrote.
Wright’s attorney, Matthew Vicari, declined to comment.
His client on Monday, Nov. 4, waived his right to a preliminary examination in 63rd District Court while he negotiates a possible plea deal with Kent County prosecutors.
He is accused of having sexual contact, using force or coercion, with a woman on the party bus. He also faces the same accusations in Ingham County - where another alleged crime occurred on the bus.
In the Kent County case, the alleged victim told state police that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police Trooper Brian Komm said in a probable-cause affidavit.
After making sexual remarks to the woman, Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area when the bus stopped on the way home near 10 Mile Road NW and Peach Ridge Avenue for a bathroom break, Komm wrote.
“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.
Ex-Fremont police chief weighs plea deal in alleged sex assault on party bus
MLive
November 04, 2019
NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI – Fired Fremont police Chief Randall Wright is considering a plea deal with prosecutors for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus to a Detroit Tigers game.
Wright, 48, had attended the Tigers’ June 5 “Law Enforcement Night,” when he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the way back.
He is charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a two-year high-court misdemeanor. He is accused of making unwanted sexual contact, using force or coercion, with a woman on the outing.
He faces a second fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct charge in Ingham County while on the party bus. He has a preliminary hearing in that case on Nov. 14, court records show.
On Monday, Nov. 4, Wright waived his right to a preliminary examination before 63rd District Judge Jeffrey O’Hara and had his case bound over to Kent County Circuit Court.
Wright acknowledged he would have further negotiations with prosecutors on a plea agreement.
Wright was fired effective Oct. 7.
In the Kent County case, the alleged victim told investigators that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police trooper Brian Komm wrote in a probable-cause affidavit.
The bus had stopped so riders could use the bathroom when Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area, Komm wrote in court records.
“This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop,” Komm wrote.
“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.
Waterford Township cop charged with sexual assault, but authorities mum about case
Metro Times
October 24, 2019
A Waterford Township cop has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, but authorities aren’t saying much about what happened.
Officer Kevin Thompson, 29, was placed on unpaid administrative leave in late May after township officials learned he had been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Thompson is due back in Genesee County’s 67th District on Monday for a preliminary examination to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant a circuit court trial.
The case stems from an alleged incident while Thompson was off-duty in Grand Blanc on Dec. 28, according to court records. But neither police nor the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office would elaborate on the allegations.
Authorities are typically more forthcoming after someone has been charged.
Township officials said they took quick action after learning about the charges. “On Thursday, May 30, 2019 the Waterford Police Department became aware that Officer Kevin Thompson had been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, 3rd degree, by the Genesee County Prosecutor,” the township said in a news release. “The alleged incident took place while Thompson was off duty and did not occur within the Township of Waterford.
“Kevin Thompson, a two year veteran of the Waterford Police Department, was immediately placed on administrative leave and he will remain on leave without pay until there is some resolution in the pending case.”
In another sexual assault case involving a cop in Michigan, Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright was fired on Oct. 7 after he was charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus. A woman told Michigan State Police that the chief was intoxicated and forcefully pushed his groin against her butt after making other unwanted sexual advances on June 8. Other women on the bus said the chief "smacked" their butts.
Michigan police chief fired after alleged sexual assault on a party bus
Metro Times
October 09, 2019
A western Michigan police chief who was charged with sexually assaulting a woman on a party bus has been fired.
The Fremont City Council terminated Randall Wright on Monday. In a news release Tuesday, the city said it “will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”
The 48-year-old chief was charged Oct. 2 with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. A day earlier, he was placed on paid administrative leave.
A woman told Michigan State Police that the chief was intoxicated and forcefully pushed his groin against her butt after making other unwanted sexual advances on June 8. Other women on the bus said the chief "smacked" their butts.
Fremont Mayor James Rynberg initially dismissed the accusations as "a huge misunderstanding" in an interview with Wood-TV8, saying he had "full faith in our chief of police."
Fremont police chief fired after being charged with criminal sexual conduct
ABC News - Channel 13
October 08, 2019
Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright has been fired, effective immediately, the city council decided Monday night. Wright is embroiled in a criminal sexual conduct scandal, after a woman reported "unwanted touching" from him.
Wright has been charged in both Ingham and Kent counties with 4th degree criminal sexual conduct.
Fremont Police Department Chief fired amid sexual assault case
Wood TV 8 News
October 08, 2019
Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright has been fired after being charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Fremont police chief charged with CSC
WOOD TV News
October 08, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Fremont’s police chief has been formally charged with a sex crime.
Fremont Police Chief Randy Wright appeared in 63rd District Court Wednesday morning where he was arraigned on a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charge against Wright Monday, after reviewing allegations that he inappropriately touched a woman.
The woman reported to Michigan State Police that Wright was drunk and belligerent when he touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.
On Thursday, Wright was arraigned in Ingham County on the same charge.
The charge is a high court misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $500 fine. Becker said Wright is expected to turn himself in at some point to be booked on the charge.
On Monday, the city of Fremont said in a statement that Wright would remain on paid administrative leave “until further notice,” and said it was conducting its own investigation.
Fremont city officials also said Sgt. Jon Greeting would remain in charge of the police department while Wright is on leave.
Wright is expected back in court for a probable cause conference on Oct. 16.
Fremont PD chief fired amid sexual assault case
WOOD TV News
October 08, 2019
FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — After being charged with inappropriately touching a woman while on a bus trip, Randall Wright has been fired from his post at chief of police in Fremont.
On Monday, in its first meeting since Wright was charged, the Fremont City Council terminated him effective immediately. The council said in a Tuesday statement it would not be commenting further.
Wright was arraigned last week on two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, one each in Kent and Ingham counties.
A woman says he assaulted her in June while they were returning from a Detroit Tigers game, a trip they took with the Fraternal Order of Police. The woman told News 8 that Wright, who she said was drunk, made inappropriate comments about her body and touched her “aggressively” despite her objections.
Wright was placed on paid administrative leave when the allegations became public last month. Sgt. Jon Getting has been in charge of the Fremont Police Department since then, and will remain so until a replacement is hired.
Wright previously declined to comment to News 8.
Fremont's police chief arraigned on charges of criminal sexual conduct after 'unwanted touching'
ABC News - Channel 13
October 03, 2019
The Kent County Prosecutor's Office charged Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright with one count of criminal sexual conduct after a woman reported instances of “unwanted touching.” Wednesday, Oct. 2 and Thursday, Oct. 3, Wright was arraigned on those charges in both Kent and Ingham Counties.
Fremont police chief also charged in Ingham County for alleged ‘party bus’ assault
MLive
October 03, 2019
INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- Fremont’s police chief is facing a second sex assault charge, this time in Ingham County, for allegedly touching a woman inappropriately on a “party bus” to a Detroit Tigers game.
Randy Wright, 48, was arraigned Thursday, Oct. 3 in Ingham County on a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was arraigned Wednesday on the same charge in Kent County.
State police said the two counties were the locations where the alleged assaults happened as the party bus was traveling.
Wright is on paid administrative leave from his job.
The woman told investigators that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus."
In the Kent County incident, Wright allegedly pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area when the bus stopped to allow passengers to use the bathroom.
Police chief accused of sex assault on ‘party bus’ to Detroit Tigers game
MLive
October 02, 2019
KENT COUNTY, MI – Fremont police Chief Randy Wright sexually assaulted a woman on a “party bus” in a trip to a Detroit Tigers game, state police said.
Wright, 48, was arraigned Wednesday, Oct. 2, on a charge of fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a high-court misdemeanor.
The charge alleges sexual contact using force or coercion.
His attorney, Matthew Vicari, entered a not-guilty plea on his client’s behalf during a brief hearing before 63rd District Judge Jeffrey O’Hara.
The alleged victim told state police that the incident happened June 5 on a “party bus."
She told police that Wright “was intoxicated and was making numerous sexually explicit advances toward her while traveling on a ‘party bus’ to a Detroit Tigers game and back,” state police Trooper Brian Komm wrote in a probable-cause affidavit.
When the bus stopped near 10 Mile Road NW and Peach Ridge Avenue so riders could use the bathroom, Wright “forcefully” pushed his groin into the woman’s buttocks area, the investigator wrote in court records.
Wright had just made sexual remarks to the woman, police said.
“This contact was unwanted by the victim and she previously told him to stop,” Komm wrote.
“Some of this contact was observed by witnesses as the (defendant) smacked the buttocks of other women on the bus without their consent,” Komm wrote.
The trip was a Fraternal Order of Police outing, WOOD-TV8 has reported.
Wright was placed on paid administrative leave, effective Tuesday, Sept. 24. At the time, City Manager Todd Blake issued a statement that said: “Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”
CSC charge filed against Fremont police chief
WOOD TV News
September 30, 2019
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kent County prosecutor is charging Fremont Police Chief Randy Wright with criminal sexual conduct.
Wright was placed on administrative leave last week after allegations that he inappropriately touched a woman were publicized by News 8.
The woman reported to Michigan State Police that Wright was drunk and belligerent when he touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker was one of two prosecutors reviewing the case. He confirmed Monday that his office filed a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct against Wright.
The alleged victim in the case said she was notified last week that the Ingham County prosecutor was also filing the same charge in that county.
The charge is a high court misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $500 fine. Becker said Wright is expected to turn himself in at some point to be booked on the charge.
“In light of the recent charges filed against the City of Fremont Police Chief, Randall Wright, Chief Wright will remain on administrative leave until further notice. The City of Fremont is continuing its own investigation into this matter. Chief Wright is innocent until proven guilty and the City will respect the legal process. The City will continue to closely monitor this situation involving Chief Wright as it moves forward. Sergeant Jon Geeting will remain in charge of the City of Fremont Police Department and its operations while Chief Wright is on leave.“The City will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”
Fremont police chief charged with fourth-degree criminal-sexual conduct
MLive
September 30, 2019
KENT COUNTY, MI – Fremont police Chief Randy Wright has been charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The charge, a high-court misdemeanor, alleges the use of force or coercion. The maximum penalty if convicted is two years in prison.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker alleged that the incident happened June 5 in the Kent City area.
Wright was placed on paid administrative leave, effective Tuesday, Sept. 24. City Manager Todd Blake issued this statement then: “Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”
WOOD-TV8 has said that Wright was accused of inappropriate contact with a woman during a Fraternal Order of Police outing.
Fremont police chief on administrative leave
ABC News - Channel 13
September 24, 2019
Michigan State Police Sgt. Ed Doyle confirms Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright is under investigation after a woman reported instances of “unwanted touching.”
Woman accusing Fremont chief says he was drunk
WOOD TV News
September 24, 2019
The woman claiming she was inappropriately touched by the Fremont police chief said the longtime officer was drunk and belligerent when the incidents occurred.
Woman accusing Fremont chief says he was drunk
WOOD TV News
September 24, 2019
FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — The woman claiming she was inappropriately touched by the Fremont police chief said the longtime officer was drunk and belligerent when the incidents occurred.
The alleged victim reported to Michigan State Police that Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright touched her in an unwanted and sexual manner while the two rode a bus back to Fremont from an outing with the Fraternal Order of Police in June.
The FOP organized a trip to Detroit where members watched a Tigers baseball game. The alleged victim said there was no trouble on the way to Detroit but after the game, the trip back was a different story.
The woman claiming the chief victimized her said Wright was drunk and touching some of the women on the bus inappropriately. While most people on the bus were law enforcement officers or their spouses, the alleged victim and her husband were not.
She said the chief seemed to fixate on her.
“He was commenting about my body — made sexual comments about what he would like to do to me sexually,” the alleged victim told News 8 Monday.
The alleged victim said the chief had smacked some of the trip attendees’ rear ends. Trying to avoid giving Wright the opportunity to do the same to her, the alleged victim said she avoided walking in front of the chief at one point when people on the bus were moving. She said she allowed the chief to pass in front of her. But Wright was undeterred, she said.
“He reached back with his hand and he grabbed my private area aggressively,” she said.
At another time the alleged victim said the chief approached her from behind and rubbed himself against her in such a way that she could feel his genitals pressing on her back side as he made sexual comments.
The woman said she shoved Wright at that time in another of many attempts to rebuff his advances.
“It was aggressive,” she said of Wright’s behavior.
MSP confirmed that a criminal sexual conduct investigation involving allegations of “unwanted touching” was underway. Officials would not disclose details of the case given the pending possibility of criminal charges.
Sgt. Ed Doyle said the investigative reports have been forwarded to prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties where the bus was believed to be traveling at the time of the allegations.
Doyle said police conducted an extensive investigation and contacted the 31 people said to have been on board the bus.
Wright said she contacted police immediately following the trip and was ultimately directed to speak with Doyle from the Michigan State Police Lakeview post to avoid any conflicts of interest with officers who know Wright.
Wright has held his position in Fremont for several years, prompted to chief after serving the department for many years prior. He declined speak with News 8 about the allegations and responded “nope” when asked over the phone if he would comment on whether he touched anyone inappropriately during the trip.
The alleged victim said she did not get drunk during the trip, but she said Wright was severely intoxicated. She claimed that he was observed drinking an entire fifth of liquor.
“That is no excuse for behavior,” she said. “I’ve known many men in my life that have been highly intoxicated, and they’ve never been sexually inappropriate with women.”
Prior to the bus trip, the alleged victims said she and her husband were friendly with Wright and his wife and had spent time with them as a couple.
Wright has the support of city leaders who seemed to question the veracity of the claims made against the chief.
Fremont City Manager Todd Blake said he did not know about the investigation or allegations until he was contacted by News 8. He said he had no intentions on changing the chief’s work status unless criminal charges were authorized. He said he remained hopeful that the allegations were false.
Fremont Mayor James Rynberg said he learned of the allegations Monday after he was briefed by Blake. The mayor was explicit about his position.
“I support our chief of police,” Rynberg said. “I have full faith in our chief of police…”
The mayor said he has “full faith” in the officials handling the investigation into the allegations and awaits the final outcome.
Prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties had not filed charges as of Monday. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office got the reports last Thursday and had yet to complete a determination on whether charges would be filed.
The alleged victim said she fears the chief may have victimized other women. She said she wants Wright criminally charged and removed from his role as the city’s police chief.
“It’s about standing up,” she said. “And saying when things aren’t OK — when things are not acceptable.”
After allegations publicized, Fremont chief placed on leave
WOOD TV News
September 24, 2019
FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — The day after “unwanted touching” allegations were publicized regarding Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright, the city placed him on administrative leave.
Michigan State Police started investigating Wright months ago after an adult female came forward to report that the chief had touched her during a Fraternal Order of Police trip in June. The woman claimed the chief was drunk when he grabbed her between her legs and rubbed himself against her back side while making lewd sexual remarks.
City leaders said they weren’t aware of the allegations until News 8 contacted them Monday for comment on the situation.
As of late Monday, City Manager Todd Blake said the chief would remain on his post unless and until he was criminally charged. Fremont’s mayor said the chief had his support and that opined that the allegations must be a “misunderstanding” of sorts.
Monday night, News 8 broke news of the investigation airing an interview with the alleged victim in the matter.
Tuesday, things changed at city hall. In a statement shortly after 12 p.m., the city manager said Wright was placed on administrative leave.
“Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Chief Wright on Administrative Leave until further notice,” the written statement from the city manager stated. “The City is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”
Blake said Fremont Police Sgt. Jon Geeting would oversee police operations during Wright’s leave.
The reports from the state police investigation were forwarded to prosecutors late last week. Charging decisions had not been made as of the end of the day Monday.
Fremont police chief placed on administrative leave
MLive
September 24, 2019
https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2019/09/fremont-police-chief-placed-on-administrative-leave.html
FREMONT, MI – The chief of police in Fremont has been placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates his conduct.
Fremont City Manager Todd Blake said Police Chief Randall Wright was placed on paid administrative leave effective Tuesday, Sept. 24.
Blake provided MLive/Muskegon Chronicle with the following statement:
“Due to the recent allegations made against Chief Wright the City of Fremont has placed Wright on administrative leave until further notice. The city is conducting its own investigation into this matter.”
In Wright’s absence, Fremont Police Sgt. Jon Geeting “will be in charge,” the statement says.
Blake declined to elaborate on the reasons for the investigation. WOOD News 8 has reported that Wright is accused of inappropriate contact with a woman during a Fraternal Order of Police outing.
Fremont PD chief accused of ‘unwanted touching’
WOOD TV News
September 23, 2019
The Fremont police chief is under investigation, accused of touching a woman inappropriately while on a trip with the Fraternal Order of Police.
Fremont PD chief accused of ‘unwanted touching’
WOOD TV News
September 23, 2019
FREMONT, Mich. (WOOD) — The Fremont police chief is under investigation, accused of touching a woman inappropriately while on a trip with the Fraternal Order of Police.
The trip took place in June as a group traveled to see a Detroit Tigers baseball game. A woman reported instances of “unwanted touching” from Fremont Police Chief Randall Wright.
Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Ed Doyle confirmed the criminal sexual conduct investigation but released few details Monday, citing a pending decision from prosecutors.
“I have an investigation that’s ongoing right now,” he told News 8.
Doyle said the victim alleges the incidents happened on a bus trip. He said MSP has made contact with the 31 people who were on the bus at the time.
Police reports have been sent to prosecutors in Kent and Ingham counties, where the bus was believed to be when the incidents happened.
Reached by phone Monday, Wright declined to answer questions.
“I really have no comment,” he told News 8.
When asked if he wanted to comment on whether he touched anyone inappropriately on the trip, the chief responded, “nope.”
Fremont City Manager Todd Blake, the chief’s boss, was blindsided by news of the allegations when reached by News 8 Monday. Blake said he was unaware of the investigation and needed to confer with the chief about the situation.
Later, Blake said he spoke with the chief who told him the situation was a “personal issue.”
Blake said the chief remained on duty and that he had no plans to change the chief’s status until he learns criminal charges have been filed. As of late Monday afternoon, Blake said he had not spoken with the Michigan State Police regarding the investigation. He said he remained hopeful that the allegations against the chief are not true.
Fremont Mayor James Rynberg said he is awaiting a decision from prosecutors before drawing any conclusions.
“I have full faith in our chief of police,” Rynberg told News 8 over the phone. “I can’t understand the charge. … There must be a huge misunderstanding.”
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office received reports of the incident Thursday but had not yet made a conclusion as to whether charges would be filed. A spokesperson for Ingham County’s prosecutor said no charges had been filed against Wright as of Monday afternoon.
Wright has been police chief in Fremont for several years. He served the department in other capacities for many years prior to becoming chief.
The Fraternal Order of Police Ben Bradford Lodge #135 organized the trip.
“Shortly after an event that our lodge took part in we were informally told that an allegation had been made regarding some activity that had taken place during the event,” Bryan Kolk, the lodge president, told News 8, reading from a prepared statement. “The State Police conducted the investigation regarding this allegation. Our membership provided full cooperation to them. We deeply regret that anyone involved with this event had an experience that made them feel like a victim.”
