OSCODA CO. – In August 2021, a trooper from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Alpena Post was contacted by the medical coordinator from the Northern Michigan Child Advocacy Center to investigate an alleged sexual assault. The assault occurred in a home located in Big Creek Township.
The trooper interviewed the victim, who told him she knew her assailant. She identified him as now 82-year-old Richard Bernard Walser from Mio. Walser had come over to her home looking for a friend. He wanted to sit down on the porch because it was hot outside. She offered him a glass a water and went inside to retrieve it. When she turned her back to walk inside, he grabbed her and sexually assaulted her while in the home. The victim was eventually able to stop the assault and Walser left.
A lengthy investigation followed, and a report was submitted to the Oscoda County Prosecutor’s Office. On May 20, 2022, and arrest warrant was issued for Walser. Walser turned himself in at the Oscoda County Sheriff’s Office later that day.
Walser was arraigned in the 81st District Court in Oscoda County on one count Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree, one count Criminal Sexual Conduct Second Degree, and one count Home Invasion First Degree. His bond was set at $100,000 cash surety 10%.
