Northville Twp. man charged with kidnapping, sex crimes after police say teen was at his home

A Northville Township man accused of sexually abusing a teen girl has been charged, officials announced Thursday.

Charles Willis, 22, was arraigned Wednesday in the 35th District Court in Plymouth on multiple charges, Northville Township police said.

Willis is charged with kidnapping, six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, child sexually abusive activity and enticing a female under the age of 16 for immoral purposes.

A judge set Willis’s bond at $1 million and scheduled his next court hearing for May 9, according to court records.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison for kidnapping, up to life for each of the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges, up to 20 years for child sexually abusive activity and up to 10 years for enticing a minor for immoral purposes.

Court records on Thursday did not list an attorney for Willis.

Authorities allege the defendant had inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.

Police said they began investigating allegations against Willis after the victim was found walking alone in the area of Seven Mile and Sheldon roads on Sunday.

During their investigation, detectives learned the girl who lived two hours west of Northville Township had been at Willis’ home. Officers obtained a warrant to search his residence.

Police said they determined Willis arranged for and paid for an Uber share ride to bring the girl to his home.

Authorities also said Willis allegedly instructed the teen to stay in his basement and he first contacted her through Snapchat on April 25.

Police said officers arrested Willis on Sunday.

Investigators also said Willis has previous encounters with other law enforcement agencies in connection with inappropriate sexual behavior and attempts to entice underage girls. However, his previous contact with Northville Township police is not related to the current charges against him, officials said.

They also said the case remains under investigation and anyone who believes they or their children may be a victim of Willis should call the Northville Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (248) 349-9400.

His charges follow other cases involving youths and sexual targeting.

Last week, a Rochester Hills internal medicine doctor was ordered to stand trial for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl and recording himself doing it.

Also last week, an Oakland County doctor who worked with youth sports teams across Metro Detroit was sentenced to 10 to 25 years after pleading no contest in mid-March to 28 counts of criminal sexual conduct involving 13 victims.

Last month, a Berkley man accused of coercing a teen for sex in exchange for vape products and sexually assaulting another youth was charged with additional crimes.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

@CharlesERamirez