Fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore faces felony charge

ADAM CAIRNS / COLUMBUS DISPATCH/USA TODAY via IMAGN IMAGES

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore leads his team onto the field for the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29.

Fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was arraigned Friday afternoon at Washtenaw County District Court on charges of felony third-degree home invasion as well as misdemeanor stalking and breaking and entering.

Kati Rezmierski, first assistant prosecutor, relayed what she said was Moore’s involvement in an incident that happened Wednesday afternoon, hours after he was fired for what the university called an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

The alleged victim, in this case, is a woman with whom court papers said Moore had a “domestic relationship,” and it is alleged he entered her home uninvited on Wednesday.

Rezmierski said the woman and Moore, a married father of three, had engaged in “an intimate relationship for a number of years” before the victim broke up with Moore on Monday. The prosecutor said that in the aftermath of the breakup, Moore made multiple phone calls and sent text messages that went unanswered by the woman.

The alleged victim ultimately worked with Michigan as part of its investigation into Moore’s conduct, which led to his dismissal.

On Wednesday, Rezmierski said, Moore “barged his way” into the victim’s apartment, went to a kitchen drawer, grabbed a butter knife and scissors and threatened to kill himself in front of her, saying, “You ruined my life.”

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The alleged victim reportedly called her attorney and also indicated to Moore she would call police, at which point he left the apartment.

Bond was set at $25,000, with Moore ordered to wear a GPS monitor and undergo continued mental health care among the conditions of his release.

Moore also was ordered not to have any contact with the woman, listing potential communication methods such as texts and phone calls or “any other form of contact the human mind can fathom.” He also was told not to show up anywhere the alleged victim would be known to be.

“You may not go to that location for any reason whatsoever,” the judge said.

Moore, dressed in a prison uniform, appeared by video from a jail cell, a stark visual contrast to his days patrolling the sideline at Michigan Stadium. The 39-year-old did not speak, other than to twice acknowledge the judge by saying, “Yes, your honor.”

The next court hearing, a probable cause conference, will take place Jan. 22 at 9 a.m. ET.

The felony charge carries a sentence of up to five years and/or a $2,000 fine, if convicted. A conviction on the stalking charge could result in a prison term of up to one year and/or a $1,000 fine, and the breaking and entering charge could result in up to a 90-day sentence and/or a $500 fine.

Moore had been behind bars since early Wednesday evening, hours after Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel announced the second-year coach was fired “for cause” after an investigation turned up “credible evidence” he had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

“This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior,” Manuel said in a statement.

Moore was taken into custody “for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault,” according to a Pittsfield Township Police Department news release.

Michigan finished the season with a 9-3 record and a No. 18 ranking and a date to meet No. 13 Texas (9-3) in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31. Interim coach Biff Poggi will coach the Wolverines in the game.

See more:Sports Wire

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