South Suburban Firefighter Acquitted of Mt. Greenwood Sex Assault

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CHICAGO, IL — A south suburban firefighter was acquitted of sex assault charges Wednesday for what he’s said to have done to a drunken, passed-out woman at a summertime party in Mt. Greenwood in 2013.

The woman’s boyfriend, who’d taken her upstairs and put her to bed after she had too much to drink, told police he later saw Marvin Buhle on top of his girlfriend with his pants down. Another man, Michael Haas, also a firefighter, stood as a lookout outside the bedroom, according to prosecutors, but the boyfriend pushed past him.

“She drank too much and woke up with her pants off,” Assistant State’s Attorney Tracy Senica said, according to a Chicago Sun-Times account of the trial.

Both Buhle, 27, and the other man, Michael Haas, 23, are Merrionette Park firefighters. The woman testified she could not positively identify Buhle as the man who was on top of her when she awoke.

Buhle told police after his arrest he thought the woman flirted with him at the party and was “making eyes” at him. He also said she took off her own pants.

Judge William Hooks admonished Buhle as he issued his ruling, reports the Sun-Times.

“I have no idea what transpired in the room on the night in question, but you have to realize that you are responsible for your actions. . . . Conduct yourself accordingly, or you’ll end up in another courtroom.”

All charges against Haas were dropped in May 2014, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Haas filed a federal lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest in April 2015.

more via the Sun-Times