World champion hacky sack player accused of sexually assaulting Ann Arbor girl
A world champion hacky sack player is accused of sexually assaulting a girl he knows in Ann Arbor about seven years ago, authorities said.
Greg M. Nelson, 42, of Ann Arbor, was arraigned Tuesday morning in 15th District Court on four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, Ann Arbor police Det. Bill Stanford said.
Nelson, who turned himself in on a warrant early Tuesday, was released on a personal recognizance bond, court records show. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.
The victim, who is now 17, reported the assaults in March, Stanford said.
Nelson is a 12-time World Doubles Champion in hacky sack and a professional Frisbee player who works as an independent contractor for Flying Aces in Sharon Township. He performs in hacky sack and Frisbee shows for the company, including at school assemblies and half-time shows for college and professional basketball games.
Nelson has worked for the company for 23 years and will continue to perform because he hasn't been convicted of anything, said company owner Brian Hayes. Nelson also works as a handyman and is a former volunteer firefighter, Hayes said.
"He's like the most loyal, honest person I've ever met," Hayes said. "Everybody loves the guy. He never says anything bad about anybody.
"I just don't think there's any possible way in the world he's capable of doing something like that."
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Charles Wright
Sun, May 16, 2010 : 11:48 a.m.
I guess Sheriff Jerry Clayton and Prosecutor Brian Mackie only go after famous people?
royboy
Tue, May 11, 2010 : 12:11 a.m.
Hacky sack? Sport for stoner-tard left wing democrats.
robyn
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
The problem with a story like this is that - while Nelson has not been tried and found either innocent or guilty - his name is now connected to an incident like this. Unfortunately - even if he is found innocent - his name will ALWAYS be connected to being a pedophile. If there were several other allegations over a period of time involving other children - it would make more sense to publish this story. Considering that he is someone who has been around children a lot - I'd have to wonder why this is the only allegation. This is NOT to devalue the victim, many times they do not come forward right away. Placing a statute of limitations is not always a good thing either - often, those who abuse (prey upon children) have a pattern of behavior over a long period of time. many times, once victims step forward, others are also compelled to do so. If that is the case, I hope annarbor.com updates this story to give more information.
Cash
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:19 a.m.
Innocent unless proven otherwise. That's the way it works.
a2tom
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 3:56 p.m.
I'm going to have to agree with Mr Etter on his point. This "reporting" seems quite reckless considering the circumstance's.
John A. Etter
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
I am not an expert on journalistic practices but it seems incredibly reckless to report this story in this fashion. If Mr. Nelson proves to be innocent (and we should assume that he is at this point) then AnnArbor.Com will have done irreparable damage to his reputation. You can't unsay calling someone a pedophile.
Soothslayer
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
Not saying it didn't happen or did but its going to be very difficult as timeline, location, opportunity, motivation, priors, etc all will have to be established... from events 7 years ago.
Barb
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
And people wonder why women often never come forward... A statue of limitations on sexual assault? Unreal. How about y'all stop speculating and wait and see what the courts decide.
heard it all
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 9:19 a.m.
No evidence, only a he said she said after 10 yrs, why now? As someone who knows, this is crap. I think theres a lot more to the story then people know, things dont add up at all!
JSA
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:46 a.m.
Short of some dramatic physical evidence being found after 7 years I don't see how a prosecution could go forward. You're back to the "she said, he said" type of trial that can only end in an acquittal.
A2lover
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:32 a.m.
As much as I feel for this young woman, and as much as I deplore the alleged sexual violation of a child, I think there might be a need for a statute of limitations for accusations of sexual misconduct. (maybe there already is, and it's more than 7 years) Far too many peoples lives are unraveled by such allegations, some of which prove to be false. I'm not suggesting that a 10 year-old has the capacity to reveal and accuse a sexual assault at the time, but 7 years seems quite some time in which to have come forward with such an allegation. Also, I'd like to know how much investigation and interrogation proceeds such an allegation.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:25 a.m.
Yea, I agree that coming forward 7 years later wouldn't be that unusual. Especially if something like this happens when you're *10* it's not surprising if you bury the whole experience for some time. I'm guessing that if he really is guilty that they will find other victims, but as Wolverine says all you can do is wait for the trial.
Wolverine3660
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:40 a.m.
Craig- given that some women/girls lie about rape( Duke Univ Lacrosse case, for example), we have to wait till the trial goes through,and the truth comes out. In case the guy is found guilty, he should face a very stiff sentence for raping a 10 yr old girl
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 6:15 a.m.
I agree with that as well Wagoo. And some teenagers make things up. If, if, if, he is guilty, then they can lock him up and throw away the key as far as I am concerned.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:52 a.m.
I agree with your sentiments Wolverine. I do find it curious that it took 7 years for the girl to come forward.
Wolverine3660
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:21 a.m.
This means that the alleged incident happened when the girl was 10 years old. How the heck could he have not noticed that the girl was under-aged? If the allegation is true, and if the Court convicts him, I hope the justice system makes him pay for his crime.