GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - A former Grand Rapids police officer faces felony charges for allegedly breaking into an ex-girlfriend's home and sexually assaulting her.
Ryan James Bruggink, 24, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and first degree home invasion stemming from the Nov. 25, 2014 incident at his ex-girlfriend's home in Wyoming.
Bruggink will be in Wyoming District Court Wednesday for a probable cause hearing on the felony charges that could put him in prison for up to life.
Bruggink, who lives in Byron Center, was hired on June 16, 2014 and never worked alone on road patrol, Grand Rapids Police Lt. Patrick Merrill said today.
"Once the accusation came forward, he was removed from duty,'' Merrill said. "He resigned when the accusations came to light.''
The victim reported the assault on Dec. 1; Bruggink resigned the following day. Merrill said.
"He spent less than six months with us as a whole,'' Merrill said. "When new officers are hired they spend a significant amount of time in the training process. The accusations came to light when he was still with his training officer.''
Michigan State Police handled the criminal investigation. Bruggink was charged on Jan. 27 and processed at the Kent County Jail. He was released the following day after posting 10 percent of a $50,000 bond.
Bruggink arrived at the victim's home at 3:30 a.m. two days before Thanksgiving after being told by the woman not to come over, according to a probable cause affidavit
"The defendant gained entry by pushing the victim by her face after she cracked the door open,'' Michigan State Police Trooper William Coon wrote in the affidavit. "While inside the residence, he forced sexual intercourse on the victim.''
In October Bruggink was featured in a story on WZZM 13 about his efforts to help save a young buck trapped inside a fenced baseball field. Once the buck became tired Bruggink was able to scoop up the animal and release it in the nearby woods.
