Father Of 8 Kids Charged With Flashing Detroit Schoolgirls
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 39-year-old man has been charged with exposing himself to three Detroit schoolgirls.
Mario James was arraigned Thursday on multiple charges of accosting children for immoral purposes, a four-year felony, and aggravated indecent exposure, a two-year misdemeanor.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said James is accused of exposing himself in at least four separate incidents. In each case, James would drive his pickup truck over to a girl as she was walking to school and expose himself, police said. He is also accused of trying to get one of the girls inside his vehicle.
James was arrested after an investigation by the Detroit Police Department in conjunction with the Detroit Public Schools Police. Investigators say tips from the public helped them track down James.
Defense attorney Scott Wyatt told the Detroit News that James, a father of eight, "steadily maintains his innocence."
James is due back in court for a preliminary examination on June 17.
The following is a summary of the alleged incidents:
April 7 -- LaSalle and Calvert
According to police, a 12-year-old girl was walking to Durfee School around 7:30 a.m. when she was approached by a man driving a truck, who then exposed his penis to her. The girl ran to school officials and immediately reported the incident.
James was charged with aggravated indecent exposure for this incident.
April 10 -- LaSalle and Calvert
Police say the same 12-year-old girl was walking to Durfee School around 7:10 a.m. when she was approached by the same man, who once again pulled up to her and allegedly exposed his penis. The girl immediately reported the incident and indicated that the man was the same person who exposed himself to her three days earlier.
April 10 -- Fullerton and Indiana
A different 12-year-old girl was walking to Noble School around 8:20 a.m., police said, when she was approached by a man in a truck, who allegedly exposed his penis. The girl tried to get the license plate number, ran to school and reported the incident.
For both incidents on April 10, James was charged with one count of accosting children for immoral purposes, and two counts of aggravated indecent exposure.
May 28 -- Lyndon and Sussex
According to police, 14-year-old girl was walking to Burns School around 8:15 a.m. when she was approached by a man in a truck. It is alleged that the man drove up to the girl, exposed his penis and asked her to enter his truck. The girl ran to her school and immediately reported the incident.
James was charged with one count of accosting children for immoral purposes and two counts of aggravated indecent exposure for this incident.
