News Summary
A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Laurence Willis, faces nine felony charges related to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Willis contacted the victim via Snapchat and persuaded her to travel to his home, where he allegedly held her captive. After the girl was discovered walking alone, Willis was arrested following a police investigation. He is currently held on a $1 million bond, and if convicted, could face life imprisonment. The community is alarmed and seeking more information about Willis’s past and any potential additional victims.
Northville Township – A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Laurence Willis, has been charged with nine felony counts related to the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The charges filed against Willis include kidnapping, enticing a female under 16 for immoral purposes, child sexually abusive activity, and six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Willis was arraigned in the 35th District Court in Plymouth on April 30, 2025, where his bond was set at $1 million. This bond is non-negotiable, with no option for reduction. A probable cause conference is scheduled for May 9, followed by a preliminary examination on May 16, 2025.
The alleged incidents began on April 25 when Willis contacted the victim through Snapchat. The girl, who resides approximately two hours away from Willis’s home, was reportedly persuaded and financially supported to take an Uber ride to his residence. Once she arrived, it is alleged that she was directed to stay in the basement of Willis’s home.
On April 27, at about 5:30 a.m., the victim was found walking alone near Seven Mile and Sheldon roads, prompting an investigation. Northville Township detectives executed a search warrant at Willis’s residence later that day, which led to his arrest. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s office subsequently authorized the charges against him.
Willis’s background includes prior encounters with law enforcement tied to inappropriate sexual behavior and attempts to entice underage girls. There are currently no public attorney records available for Willis regarding these charges, indicating he might not yet have legal representation in this matter.
If convicted, Willis faces severe legal repercussions, including the potential for life imprisonment for the kidnapping charge, along with life sentences for each count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. The investigation surrounding this case is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone who may have been a victim or who has had prior contact with Willis to reach out to the Northville Township Police Detective Bureau at (248) 349-9400.
This incident has raised significant concern regarding safety and the protection of minors in the community. Further updates regarding the legal proceedings and status of the investigation are anticipated as the case progresses.
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Additional Resources
- WXYZ: Police Search for Victims
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- CBS News: Northville Township Kidnapping
- Google Search: Northville Township Kidnapping
- Detroit News: Northville Man Charged
- Google Scholar: Kidnapping Michigan
- Click On Detroit: Bond Increased for Northville Man
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kidnapping
- WWMT: Barry County Teen Kidnapping
- Google News: Kidnapping Northville
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
