Former Tigers Pitcher Evan Reed Charged in Alleged Drugging, Raping of Woman

Evan Reed, the former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher accused of drugging and raping a woman he met at a Royal Oak bar last March, has been formally charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Wayne County Attorney Kym Worthy announced the charges against Reed, 28, during a news conference at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice Wednesday, the Detroit Free Press reports.

The assault allegedly took place at in a room at a Motor City Casino Hotel.

The 45-year-old woman at the center of the case told police that Reed and some unnamed invited her and a female friend to join them in a booth at the bar, The Detroit News reports. They had several drinks and she danced with Reed.

“At some point (at the bar), the (woman) finished an alcoholic drink and began to feel odd,” Worthy said in a news release given to reporters at the news conference. When questioned, she declined to say if prosecutors have evidence that the woman was drugged.

But the alleged victim told police she reportedly doesn’t remember anything until she woke up lying naked next to Reed in his hotel room the next morning. Reed allegedly assaulted her at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of March 31 – opening day at Comercia Park for the Detroit Tigers – and then told her to leave the hotel room, according to the release.

The charges against Reed are brought under the theory that he had sexual intercourse with the woman with the knowledge that she was unable to consent. If convicted, he could spend up to 15 years in prison.

One of Reed’s attorneys, Ben Gonek, told The Detroit News “the evidence shows that the sex was knowing and consensual” and didn’t take place until after Reed and the alleged victim had slept for several hours.

“We’re shocked by the charges, but … Evan is looking forward to his day in court,” Gonek said. “Twelve jurors will see this case for exactly what it is, and we’re confident he’ll be acquitted of all charges.”

Reed, who joined the Tigers in 2013, was sent down to the minor league earlier in June and now pitches for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. The Free Press said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the allegations against Reed were not a factor in his demotion.

The Tigers released a statement after the charges were announced:

“As an organization, we take matters like this very seriously and we are closely monitoring the situation. Evan Reed’s representatives are handling his legal proceeding that must run its course before there is any further comment from the ballclub.”

Reed is expected to turn himself into authorities, possibly this week. Worthy said she doesn’t expect extradition from Ohio to be a problem.

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Photo: Evan Reed, former Detroit Tigers relief pitcher now with the Toledo Mudhens, was formally charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct in connection with an alleged assault last March. (Photo: Detroit Tigers)