A 70-year-old Oklahoma City man was arrested earlier this week after his roommate told police he sexually assaulted her.
Donald Nelson Hulme called police to report that he had been assaulted during a domestic disturbance. When police arrived, they found the man with a small, bleeding cut under his eye. His roommate was packing to leave, and when questioned she admitted to police that she hit Hulme in the face, but said she did so in self defense.
An incident report indicates that the woman told police that Hulme, who is not her boyfriend, was jealous and angry whenever she went out with friends, and especially if she went out with a man. She said that as she attempted to go meet a male friend, Hulme sexually assaulted her, grabbing her and making lewd comments.The alleged victim said that she tried to fight off Hulme, but eventually had to strike him in the face to get him to leave her alone. She told investigators that she then tried to leave the house, but Hulme put her in a headlock.
Police said that the woman had injuries consistent with her statement, and they arrested Hulme on complaints of domestic abuse and sexual battery. Police booked Hulme into the Oklahoma County jail. After he was transported, police at the scene allegedly discovered child pornography on the man's computer. He is being held without bail.
Typically, people think of domestic violence as a crime between family members, but the Domestic Abuse Act has a much broader application than a blood or marital relationship. Domestic abuse is assault and battery against:
- a spouse or ex-spouse
- the spouse of an ex-spouse
- parents or foster parents
- a child
- anyone related by blood or marriage
- a dating partner
- a person with whom the defendant has a child in common
- anyone who lives in the same household as the defendant or who formerly lived in the same household
Although Hulme and his alleged victim were not, according to the woman, in a romantic relationship, because they were roommates, Hulme could be charged with violation of the Domestic Abuse Act.
Sexual battery is defined by Oklahoma law as ""the intentional touching, mauling or feeling of the body or private parts of any person sixteen (16) years of age or older, in a lewd and lascivious manner" when committed without the consent of the other person or against a person aged 16 or older who is not able to provide legal consent due to custodial status or student status.
Domestic abuse is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor, although there are enhancing factors that can elevate the crime to felony status. Sexual battery, on the other hand, is a felony that is considered a Level 3 sex offense, and as such, carries lifetime sex offender registration among the consequences.
Visit our website for more information about sex crime defense in Oklahoma, or click here to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced attorney.
