Feds seeking help with investigation into sex abuse by L’Anse man after indictment

L’ANSE, Mich. (WJMN) — A federal attorney is asking the public for more information on possible criminal conduct by 56-year-old Michael Philip Dowd.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said Thursday afternoon that his office is seeking any additional information after Dowd, of the L’Anse Indian Reservation, was indicted on two charges related to an alleged sexual assault earlier this year.

“My office is prepared to make its case in court and strongly encourages anyone with information about Mr. Dowd who can assist with this active investigation to contact our Marquette Office,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Our work protecting victims of sexual abuse and holding offenders accountable is some of the most important work we do.”

Court documents show the alleged sex abuse survivor sought help from police a month after the incident. According to the records, the survivor recalled she and Dowd were drinking alcohol in the woods near Herman, and that the last thing she remembered was being in the vehicle with Dowd and believing that he was very intoxicated.

The next day she said she woke up on his couch and suspected she had been assaulted, but Dowd denied any acts had occurred. Having been given access to his home video surveillance system months earlier, she found evidence to the contrary.

An FBI agent who reviewed the video shared to law enforcement by the woman said the footage showed her trying to fight Dowd off and repeatedly yelling “Let go of me.”

The indictment alleges that Dowd “knowingly engaged in a sexual act” with the survivor without the survivor’s consent and while the survivor was “incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct and physically incapable of declining participation in, or communicating unwillingness to engage in” the sexual act.

Dowd is facing one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of sexual abuse. Each count carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

“I commend the victim for their bravery and for coming forward to law enforcement, especially considering the horrific and severe sexual abuse alleged in this case,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in the Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI, our partners at the Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to addressing the public safety and violence facing Native American communities.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI are continuing to investigate Dowd for sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact. Anyone who has not previously provided information about conduct involving Dowd should contact the FBI or U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Marquette Branch Office, at 906-226-2500.

Survivors of sexual abuse can connect with Michigan’s Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-855-864-2374 or through their online chat .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJMN - UPMatters.com.