Judge calls man in E.L. assaults 'a sexual psychopath'

LANSING – A 27-year-old man who terrorized East Lansing last year, committing a series of sexual attacks, was sentenced Thursday to 46 to 100 years in prison.

At a hearing in Ingham County Circuit Court, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina called Oswald Wilder Jr. "a predator against women" and "a sexual psychopath."

"Sir, you've caused permanent and irreparable harm to these women," Aquilina said, as Wilder stood before her, at times crying or wiping away tears. "I cannot subject you to a society that deserves so much better."

At a plea hearing in September, Wilder admitted that he sexually assaulted or attempted to sexually assault four women — all Michigan State University students — within a two-month span.

The attacks happened between March 30, 2013 and May 16, 2013.

Wilder blamed drugs for his acts. He said he was high on crack cocaine during most or all of the incidents. The drug, he said, increased his desire for sex.

He pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct, two counts of assault with intent to commit sexual penetration and gross indecency by a sexually delinquent person.

In court Thursday, Wilder expressed remorse for his actions. He said he had told an East Lansing police detective when he admitted attacking the women that he needed help.

"I realized what I done was wrong, and I felt so bad for the things that happened," he said, later adding: "I can't turn (back) the hands of time."

The attacks escalated. In the first attack, Wilder followed a woman walking home on East Grand River Avenue, approached her from behind and used his hand to sexually assault her under her dress.

The last attack happened the early evening of May 16, 2013. He followed a woman who was out for a walk into an apartment complex parking lot.

He grabbed her, dragged her behind a Dumpster and struck the woman several times as she screamed for help. He also slammed her head against the Dumpster. He then sexually assaulted her with his hand.

Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Kwasnik said the work of East Lansing police and the bravery of the victims led to Wilder's arrest and may have ultimately prevented a homicide.

"(He) is a predator who was out prowling, hunting for people in East Lansing," Kwasnik said. "Thank goodness he was stopped when he was."