News Summary
A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Willis, has been charged with serious felonies after allegedly luring a 14-year-old girl to his home and sexually assaulting her. The incident, which involved using Snapchat for contact and arranging transportation, has raised significant community concerns. Willis has a troubling history of similar offenses and is currently detained with a bond set at $1 million. Authorities are urging anyone with more information to come forward as they investigate potential additional victims.
Northville Township – A 22-year-old man from Northville Township, Charles Willis, has been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly luring a 14-year-old girl to his home and sexually assaulting her. The charges come after an incident that occurred on April 25, 2025, when Willis reportedly contacted the girl via Snapchat, leading to her travel from her home in Barry County, located about two hours away.
According to police reports, Willis arranged and paid for the girl’s transportation, using a two-hour Uber ride to bring her to his residence. Upon her arrival, it is alleged that he instructed her to hide in the basement of his home, where he then sexually assaulted her and isolated her for a period of two days.
The situation took a concerning turn when, on April 27 around 5:30 a.m., the girl was discovered walking alone in the area of 7 Mile and Sheldon roads, wrapped in a blanket. Law enforcement officials have described this situation as potentially horrifying for the young girl, highlighting her lack of support and inability to seek help during her ordeal.
Authorities have indicated that Willis has had prior encounters with law enforcement relating to sexually inappropriate conduct and attempts to entice young girls. In January 2025, he faced allegations of felony sexual assault involving a minor in Roseville. Despite the severity of these allegations, Willis was released on a $5,000 personal bond by a visiting judge.
The specific charges against Willis for the recent incident include kidnapping, enticing a girl under 16 for immoral purposes, child sexually abusive activity, and multiple counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. His bond has been set at $1 million, and he is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail.
Willis is scheduled to appear in court again on May 9, 2025. An emergency hearing regarding his bond for the earlier Roseville charges is also set to take place on May 5, 2025. Authorities are expressing concern that there may be additional victims of Willis’s actions, and they encourage anyone with pertinent information or who believes they may have been harmed to reach out to the Northville Township Police Detective Bureau at (248) 349-9400.
This incident is alarming and part of a disturbing trend involving the sexual targeting of youths. Recent reports indicate that there have been several cases in which adults have exploited minors for sexual purposes. These incidents have amplified community concerns regarding the safety of children and the need for greater vigilance against potential threats.
As this case progresses, it highlights the critical need for ongoing discussions about child safety and protection from predators. Parents and guardians are urged to talk openly with their children about online safety and the importance of reporting uncomfortable or inappropriate encounters.
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Additional Resources
- ClickOnDetroit: Northville Township Man Used Snapchat to Lure Girl
- Detroit News: Northville Township Man Accused of Kidnapping
- WXYZ: Police Search for Victims
- Google Search: Northville Township news
- MLive: Man Lured 14-Year-Old Girl
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
