A Michigan man has been accused of sexually assaulting his wife hundreds of times over a period of 13 years, authorities said.
Kraig Smith, 48, of Benton Harbor, was arraigned in Berrien County Wednesday on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct — a felony punishable by up to life in prison, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.
He was charged after his wife accused him in May of subjecting her repeatedly to unwanted sexual acts over the course of more than a decade, setting off an investigation.
“I hope this case encourages public awareness of coercive assault and makes clear that assault by a domestic partner is a crime that will be prosecuted,” Nessel said.
The woman also accused Smith of verbally and emotionally abusing her, as well as threatening her and their children multiple times after they were married in December 2006, Nessel said.
The man was released from custody after posting $20,000 bond, court officials told MLive.com.
Attempts to reach Smith by phone Friday were unsuccessful.
A preliminary exam for Smith has been set for April 27. It’s unclear if he’s hired an attorney who could comment on the charges.
The couple’s current marital status is unclear, a spokeswoman for Nessel, Kelly Rossman-McKinney told The Post Friday.