Detroit Police Officer Charged In Sexual Assaults
FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ/AP) - A Detroit police officer has been charged with four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a teenager he met through a boot camp program advertised for troubled youth.
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office said 43-year-old Geoffrey Townsend was arraigned Wednesday in Farmington Hills District Court. He's due back in court for a preliminary examination on April 5. If convicted as charged, Townsend faces up to 15-years in prison
The incidents reportedly occurred between October 2010 and August 2012 in Townsend's Farmington Hills home.
Prosecutor Jessica Cooper said the victim was born in 1997 and was acquainted with Townsend through "Reality Check Detroit." She said Townsend is a founder of the boot camp, which was operated outside his employment as a police officer.
Cooper said investigators are concerned that other teenagers may have been victimized. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Farmington Hills Police Department at 248-871-2600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
Interim Police Chief Chester Logan said his department is cooperating with the investigation, adding that he is "committed to ensuring that the members of the Detroit Police Department conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the public's trust."
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