Great Lakes Wire

Al Allan De Los Santos Mueses, a 40-year-old former exchange student from the Dominican Republic who attended Western Michigan University, was arraigned in Kalamazoo on July 28 after being extradited from Miami. He faces four counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct related to an alleged assault of a fellow student in March 2010.

Authorities allege that Mueses assaulted a then-20-year-old female student at his apartment shortly after meeting her at a campus recreation center. The incident was reported immediately to university police, and the victim underwent a forensic medical examination. At the time, no charges were issued. After residing in Miami, Florida, Mueses was charged on July 1 and arrested on July 11 before his return to Michigan.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel commented on the work of law enforcement units focused on sexual assault cases: “I remain grateful to our state’s devoted SAKI units and their efforts to bring about justice for victims of sexual assaults perpetrated years ago,” said Nessel. “Their commitment ensures that survivors have the opportunity to see their cases fully investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable.”

Mueses attended Western Michigan University between 2009 and 2013 as a foreign exchange student. The investigation is ongoing by the Kalamazoo Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), which focuses on re-examining cold-case sexual assaults using previously untested evidence kits. The public is encouraged to contact Investigator Richard Johnson with any information related to this case or similar incidents involving Mueses.

The SAKI program began in Michigan in 2016 as a collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office, Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office, and YWCA of Kalamazoo. Its purpose is to review old sexual assault cases where evidence had not been tested or pursued previously.

Currently, more than 200 cold-case sexual assaults dating from 1976 through 2015 are under investigation by the Kalamazoo SAKI team.

Kalamazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey S. Getting highlighted ongoing efforts: “The investigation into these cases continue despite the difficulties caused by the passage of time and suspects moving to different parts of the world,” said Getting. “Hard work, persistence, and a commitment to justice are hallmarks of my office, the Attorney General’s office, and the SAKI program.”

Mueses received a $250,000 cash or surety bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 7 for a probable cause conference; Judge Kathleen Hemingway will preside over his preliminary examination set for August 14.

Officials remind that criminal charges are allegations until proven in court; defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty.