PESHAWBESTOWN -- A member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians' tribal council resigned his post after being accused of a sex crime in Grand Rapids.
Joseph C. "Buddy" Raphael, 67, resigned effective Friday after notifying tribal leaders Tuesday, according to the band. Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey said his notice didn't specify a reason.
"It would be inappropriate for us to speculate," said John Petoskey, the band's general counsel. "This was of his own accord."
Raphael faces a charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in Kent County after allegedly groping a sheriff's deputy in a park near the Grand River. A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 17.
Tribal council members will hold a special meeting Aug. 5 to appoint a replacement for Raphael's seat, to serve until May 2010.
Council members convicted of misdemeanors are allowed to retain their seats, tribal leaders said. A fourth-degree CSC charge is a misdemeanor.
