Ex-Michigan State medical resident sentenced in sex assault

LANSING, Mich. – A former Michigan State University medical resident who authorities say sexually assaulted two women at a university health centre and forced them to watch videos of him masturbating has been sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison.

The Lansing State Journal reports 33-year-old Michael Phinn of Fowlerville was sentenced Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to charges including second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Phinn told the court he’s “not a manipulator or a monster,” and instead blamed the widespread availability of pornography. He says he “misinterpreted months of flirtatious behaviour.”

Phinn originally faced harsher charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Phinn worked in the MSU Neurology Clinic and police say the women weren’t his patients. He was charged in October, about a week after the women reported allegations to police.

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Information from: Lansing State Journal, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com