In a stunning shift, ex-Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore and prosecutors agreed to a plea deal instead of moving forward with a critical hearing, a move that avoids a trial and testimony from his former executive assistant who told police he barged into her apartment after she ended their two-year affair.
Moore agreed to plead no contest to malicious use of a telecommunications device and one count of trespass. Both are misdemeanors and new charges formally brought on Friday, March 6 during a hearing before 14A District Court Judge J. Cedric Simpson.
The three previous charges — including third-degree felony home invasion — are now dismissed.
First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kati Rezmierski explained to the court how her office arrived at dismissing the original charges and bringing two new ones.
"After additional evidence has been presented to us, [we] do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to prove account of domestic violence in this matter; not historically and not what happened on Dec. 10," Rezmierski said, referencing the day Moore went to the home of his executive assistant.
"We are obligated as this court as well, where legally and ethically and morally, to not charge that which we do not think we can prove. What we do believe the evidence supports is criminal misbehavior in the context of an intimate partner relationship, and that is why that tag on is on the malicious use charge."
Moore spoke briefly during the short hearing. Simpson asked Moore whether he understood the charges and the nature of a no contest plea. A no contest plea means a defendant in a criminal prosecution accepts conviction but does not plead or admit guilt.
As Simpson noted, for sentencing purposes the court treats a no contest plea just as it would a guilty plea.
The basis for the no contest plea is civil liability, said Moore's lawyer, Ellen Michaels. She's referencing the possibility of a civil lawsuit.
Sentencing is set for 2 p.m. April 14, 2026. The malicious use charge is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while the trespassing charge is punishable by up to 30 days in jail a $250 fine.
The defense requested Moore be released from the condition of his bond which required he wear a GPS tether on the grounds it was placed, "when it was the understanding my client was facing was a felony and a stalking charge," Michaels said.
"Now that those charges are dismissed and the narrative of my client having a history of violence and stalking has now been proven to be false, it's our position the tether is no longer necessary."
Simpson denied the request temporarily, at least, "until such time a defendant has been interviewed by probation and he will "make a decision on that based on the recommendation," he said.
After the hearing, Michaels provided a statement. Moore stood with her and his wife but did not speak or answer questions.
"From the beginning, we maintained the felony stalking charge and the entering without permission charge — all the charges against Mr. Moore — were not supported by facts and law. After the court granted our motion for (Friday's) hearing, and the omissions in the detectives' affidavit were examined, those charges have been dismissed," Michaels said.
"The dismissal of those charges validates the concerns we raised about the investigation from the very beginning. Mr. Moore is pleased to put this behind him and move forward."
Moore declined to comment when leaving the court.
After the hearing, Rezmierski declined to comment. In a statement, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit provided context as to how they arrived at the plea deal.
"As with any case our office handles, the plea agreement was reached following evaluation of the factual, evidentiary, and legal circumstances—and the overarching need for accountability and public safety," Savit said.
"It is our hope that this resolution will ensure accountability, and allow the victim an opportunity to heal and move forward."
Michaels later said Moore met with probation officials and she anticipated the GPS monitor would be removed in the near future.
Despite the possibility of prison time under the original charges, defense lawyers unaffiliated with the case previously told the Free Press probation is a realistic outcome for the case, given Moore had no previous criminal record and the nature of the original alleged offenses.
“He’s not going to go to prison, his guidelines are probationable,” said Todd Flood, managing partner at Flood Law PLLC and a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor, when asked about the case last year.
Simpson thanked lawyers from both sides before the hearing.
Moore arrived at court holding hands with his wife, Kelli, and walking along with Ellen Michaels, his lawyer. Kelli Moore sat in the first row of benches behind Moore during the proceeding.
The former coach was supposed to attend court for an evidence hearing, where his lawyers planned to argue police used inaccurate and misleading information to secure the charges against Moore.
But Michaels and prosecutors met with Simpson behind closed doors for more than two hours before emerging to reveal details of the deal.
Ahead of Friday's hearing, Michaels repeatedly said her client was innocent and the truth would come out in court.
Moore, 40, was fired from his coaching job in December after university leaders determined he engaged in a long-standing inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant and then lied when asked about it.
The same day of his firing, Moore went to the apartment of the woman with whom he had the affair. She told police he barged in, grabbed two butter knives and backed her into a corner. While she did not say he touched her, she told police and prosecutors she was terrified.
The Free Press generally does not identify people described as domestic crime victims without their consent.
Police arrested Moore shortly after he left the department. After a mental health evaluation and two nights in jail, prosecutors charged him with three offenses:
- One count of third-degree felony home invasion. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $2,000 fine.
- One misdemeanor count of stalking related to a domestic relationship. The charge comes with a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a $1,000 fine and five years probation.
- One misdemeanor count of breaking and entering-illegal entry without owner's permission. The charge count comes with a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.
University investigations into both Moore and the culture of the athletic department are ongoing. U-M hired the law firm of Jenner & Block to lead the inquiry: earlier this year, university invoices showed they had paid the company roughly $2 million. The amount is expected to increase.
This week, the university confirmed Moore's former executive assistant no longer works for the university.
Moore is the subject of additional scrutiny.
In an entirely separate matter, a different woman says LaTroy Lewis, a former U-M assistant football coach who worked for Moore, sexually assaulted her.
According to a media report on social media, the woman allegedly told Moore about the assault. Moore allegedly did not report what the victim told him to the proper channels.
"Sherrone Moore did not fail to report misconduct, did not reward wrongdoing, and did not harass anyone," Michaels said in a recent statement. "These claims are false."
A lawyer for Lewis also said her client is innocent. Ann Arbor police confirmed they are investigating.
