LOGAN — A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for groping a healthcare worker while she was trying to test him for COVID-19 three years ago. Michael Anthony Black was given a sentence of zero-to-five years after repeatedly violating the conditions of his probation.
On April 30, 2021, Logan City Police Officers were called to Intermountain Logan Regional Hospital. An emergency room nurse reported being sexually assaulted by Black, who was a patient.
The victim explained how she had been providing medical care for the defendant, who was not cooperative. She explained, while trying to administer the COVID-19 test, Black had to be restrained by two other healthcare workers and herself. Despite their efforts, he got his hand free and placed it between her legs, inappropriately touching her.
The other healthcare workers provided corroborating statements to officers. They also reported, Black had been exposing and inappropriately touching himself while in the room prior to the COVID test.
Police claim Black has a criminal history in Oregon and California. Both states report arrests for assault related offenses.
According to court records, Black previously pleaded guilty to attempted forcible sexual abuse, a third-degree felony; and lewdness, a class B misdemeanor. Instead of prison, he was placed on probation and given credit for 296 days previously served in jail.
In May, Black was ordered to serve an additional 90 days in jail for violating his probation.
Last month, probation agents filed another probation violation report after finding sexual material on his phone.
Black appeared Monday in Logan’s 1st District Court.
Judge Spencer Walsh said Black continued to break the law and show disregard to previous court orders. He reinstated the defendant’s original prison sentence but said he would recommend credit for time already served.