KYM L.

WORTHY

PROSECUTING AlTORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING AlTORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Weekly Updates
Week of November 9 - 15, 2014
Two Pages

(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457

For Immediate Release

mmiller@waynecounty.com

NEWS UPDATES
Monday, November 10, 2014

Taylor Barricaded Gunman Expected to be Arraigned This Afternoon

Taylor barricaded gunman Brett Lambert, 22, of Taylor, is expected to be arraigned this afternoon
in connection with a stand-off with the Taylor Police on November 5, 2014 at approximately 11:00
p.m. Lambert has been charged with one count of Manufacture/Possession Incendiary Device
with Malicious Intent, twelve counts of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, twelve counts
Felonious Assault, one count Felony Firearm, two counts of Discharge In or At a Building, one
count of Discharge at Emergency/Police Vehicle , one count of Malicious Destruction of Fire or
Police Property, two counts of Malicious Destruction of Building, two counts of Malicious
Destruction of Personal Property.
Please confirm the arraignment time with the 23rd District Court today. Please contact the Taylor
Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014

DISTRICT ATTORNEY VANCE ANNOUNCES UP TO $35 MILLION IN FUNDING

TO HELP ELIMINATE RAPE KIT BACKLOG IN CITIES NATIONWIDE
Second In Series Of Transformative Initiatives Funded By Manhattan DA's Office With Asset
Forfeiture Money Secured Through Sanctions Cases

-more-

Testing Will Help Solve Cases Locally And Across The Country

Wayne County (Detroit) Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said: "The impact that this is going to have on
the estimated hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across this country is massive. My
fervent hope is that jurisdictions across this country that have untested rape kits will step out of the
shadows, call Cy, and get them tested. Help is here. This is a glorious day for sexual assault
victims that have been waiting for justice."
See press release attached.

####

CYRUS R. VANCE, JR.

uri..111w: 1 ir,, 11 U1-11101

DISTRICT ATTORNEY - NEW YORK COUNTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2014

CONTACT: Emily Tuttle

tuttlee@dany.nyc.gov

DISTRICT ATTORNEY VANCE ANNOUNCES UP TO $35 MILLION IN FUNDING

TO HELP ELIMINATE RAPE KIT BACKLOG IN CITIES NATIONWIDE
Second In Series Of Transjormative Initiatives Funded ByManhattan DA 's Office WithAsset Fotfeiture Monry
Secured Through Sanctions Cases
Testing Will Help Solve Cases Local/y And Across The Country
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced that he will pledge up to $35
million in funding to eliminate backlogs of untested sexual assault evidence kits, or "rape kits,"
nationwide, generating DNA evidence that will help solve cases in New York City, New York State
and across the country. The District Attorney's Office will allocate funding to analyze untested rape
kits, audit the scope of jurisdictions' backlogs, create data- and information-sharing systems, and
ensure jurisdictions adhere to best practices for the testing and use of rape kit evidence. Jurisdictions
across the country are expected to apply for funding to test their kits for DNA evidence, a crucial
element of prosecutions and investigations, as well as crime prevention, and even exoneration.
The commitment is one in a series of transformative criminal justice investments that the District
Attorney's Office is making with asset forfeiture funds secured through recent sanctions cases,
including BNP Paribas S.A.'s guilty plea. The initiative will be executed with the assistance of
partners, including the Joyful Heart Foundation, which will provide technical assistance and strategic
guidance to advise the District Attorney's Office as it executes the national grant program. Emmy
Award-winning star of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mariska Hargitay, the Founder and
President of the Joyful Heart Foundation, joined the District Attorney to make the announcement,
along with Wayne County (Detroit) Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy and Natasha Alexenko, Founder of
Natasha's Justice Project.
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., said: "To have hundreds of thousands of rape kits
untested is unacceptable. Rape victims nationwide deserve to know that the invasive examination
they underwent had a purpose, and the resulting kit was not left to gather dust on a forgotten shelf.
But more than that, DNA evidence, consistently prosecutors' most reliable and cost-effective tool,

solves crimes across state lines. From California to New York, expanding the DNA databank helps
every jurisdiction across the country seek justice and keep residents safe. The impact of this
investment, which my Office is funding with asset forfeiture money secured through cases involving
banks that violated U.S. sanctions, will be felt across the country.
"I would like to thank our partners in the Joyful Heart Foundation and all advocates who have
helped draw national attention to this issue. I urge other elected officials across the country to help
fund this cause in their own jurisdictions, and join our. call to test each and every rape kit in the
United States."
Mariska Hargitay, Founder and President of the Joyful Heart Foundation, said: "To me, the rape kit
backlog is one of the clearest and most shocking demonstrations of how we regard these crimes in
our society. Testing nipe kits sends a fundamental and crucial message to victi ms of sexual violence:
You matter. What happened to you matters. Your cases mattet. Not testing kits sends the opposite
message. That's why I am so filled with gratiti.1de for the commitment that has been announced
today. This is what progress looks like."
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: "I have long been an advocate for survivors of sexual assault,
and fought hard for federal funding to help eliminate New York State's DNA backlog. Investments
like today's not only speak to these survivors - telling them that their ordeal has not gone unnoticed
- but enable law enforcement to solve crimes across state lines. I applaud DA Vance's commitment
to hold more dangerous criminals accountable, keep predators off our streets and locked up, and
keep our families safe."
U.S. Senatot Chades E. Schumer said: "To effectively deal with the scourge of rape we must identify
and punish wrongdoers. Step one in that task is eliminating the rape kit backlog, which will put
sexual predators behind bars and prevent future crimes. Thank you to Manhattan DA Vance for
allocating $35 million in funding for this important initiative that will not only help New Yorkers but
also many women across the country."
U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney said: "I applaud District Attorney Cy Vance and the Joyful
Heart Foundation for initiating this program to help eliminate the persistent DNA rape kit analysis
backlog. I wrote the Debbie Smith Act to direct hundreds of millions of federal dollars for DNA
analysis, and we've put countless rapists behind bars as a result. This new program will complement
that effort and provide the additional resources needed to ensure that no kit goes untested. I will
continue working in Congress to deliver full funding for DNA analysis so that we can not only
entirely eliminate the current testing backlog, but also ensure that no such backlog is allowed to
occur again."
Wayne County (Detroit) Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said: "The impact that this is going to have on
the estimated hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across this country is massive. My fervent
hope is that jurisdictions across this country that have untested rape kits will step out of the
shadows, call Cy, and get them tested. Help is here. This is a glorious day for sexual assa,,ult victims
that have been waiting for justice."
Natasha Alexenko, Founder of Natasha's Justice Project, said: "The man that raped and robbed me
at gunpoint is now behind bars where he is no longer a public threat thanks to the determination
and dedication shown by District Attorney Cy Vance and his unrelenting team in New York County.
2

This unprecedented investment into the public safety of our country shows why New York leads the
nation in a victim-centered approach to justice. I sleep peacefully at night knowing that justice was
served in my case - and now other survivors have a chance to find the same closure as I did in New
York."

"Rape Kits" and DNA Evidence

Sexual assault evidence kits, commonly known as "rape kits," collect evidence including
photographs; vaginal, anal and oral swabs; and blood and urine specimens, during an invasive,
lengthy examination conducted at a hospital or rape crisis center following a sexual assault. The
DNA evidence contained in rape kits is a powerful tool for identifying suspects, convicting
perpetrators, preventing future offenses, and even exonerating the innocent.
DNA from rape kits does not only help solve crimes in one jurisdiction, but across the country. In
fact, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, 2,912 DNA hits have
been generated in New York from the national DNA databank. In cases where a suspect has not yet
been identified, biological evidence from the crime scene can be analyzed and compared to offender
profiles in DNA databases, such as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), to help identify the
perpetrator. Crime scene evidence can also be linked to other crime scenes through the use of DNA
databases to identify serial offenders, and arrests for lower-level crimes in one state might help solve
a cold case in another state. DNA has also helped exonerate the wrongfully convicted, ensuring
justice is done.
I

------------------------------------ 1

: DNA Evidence from Rape Kits Helps . . .

1

...Solve crimes in New York State: In the mid-nineties, an unidentified man raped three
schoolgirls in Rochester, New York. The rapist was not apprehended until an out-of-state
DNA hit ten years later. Like many rapists, Keith Lamar Laster was a recidivist, and after
being charged with raping a woman in Alabama, surrendered a DNA sample which was
entered into the national database. After Laster's DNA matched the DNA evidence from
the Rochester rapes, he was convicted at tdal, and is now serving 146 years in prison.
. . .Solve crimes in other states: In 2005, a man named Clarence Williams was arrested in
Atlanta, Georgia, after attempting to purchase a shotgun. Prosecutors discovered two
warrants for his arrest in New York City, issued after the defendant jumped bail in 1978
while awaiting retrials on two rape cases. Manhattan prosecutors preparing to extradite
Williams reexamined his old file, and tested a pair of underwear using previously
unavailable DNA technology. Williams was not only confirmed as the attacker in the
1978 cold cases, but connected to nine unsolved rapes and robberies in Silver Spring,
Maryland .
. ..Exonerate the innocent: Michael Mercer spent twelve years behind bars for a 1991 rape on
a Harlem rooftop that he did not commit, and might still be in prison today were it not for
the City's "forklift" approach to eliminating the rape kit backlog, testing each and every
kit, even in closed cases. Mercer was freed from prison within days after a DNA hit
confirmed that the rape was committed by another man with a long history of burglary
and sexual assault.

Tackling the Backlog across the Country

The Joyful Heart Foundation estimates that hundreds of thousands of rape kits are currently sitting
untested in police storage facilities and crime laboratories across the country. Exact numbers are
impossible to glean because many jurisdictions have no system for tracking or counting the rape kits
in their custody. However, a number of cities have begun to count their untested kits, indicating a
vast number of backlogged kits nationwide. Memphis, Tennessee, for instance, had more than12,000
untested kits, and Cleveland, Ohio, had nearly 4,000 before undertaking efforts to reduce their
backlogs. Currently, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has more than 3,700, and Las Vegas, Nevada, has more than
4,000.

Today's commitment is a complement to a proposal pending before the U.S. Congress, which would
allocate $41 million to fund a new program that would provide grants to local communities to
investigate and prosecute these cases, re-engage survivors, and create system-wide reforms to ensure
that a backlog never occurs again.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office believes that every completed rape kit should be tested
and analyzed for DNA with the victim's consent. This "forklift" approach not only helps
corroborate victim's accounts and identify known attackers, but might also lead to the exoneration
of those who were wrongfully-convicted. The approach, first used more than two decades ago to
systematically eliminate New York City's rape kit backlog, has been replicated by cities like Detroit,
Michigan, with great success.

I ------------------------------------- ------------- ------------------------------: Case Study: Detroit, Michigan

In 2009, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office discovered more than 11,000 untested
rape kits during a tour of an abandoned police warehouse in Detroit. Wayne County
Prosecutor Kym Worthy sought and received funding to test a random sample of 400 of
those kits, which generated so many leads that the National Institute of Justice funded
the testing of an additional 1,600 kits.
From that initial 2,000-kit sample, there were 473 hits in the national DNA database,
including hits linking to crimes committed in 23 other states. The Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office identified 127 potential serial rapists, and obtained 14 convictions.
Encouraged by those results, private donors contributed $150,000 to the initiative, and, in
2013, the Michigan State legislature set aside $4 million to test all of Detroit's
remaining kits.
,

1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I

Though proposals from jurisdictions in New York State will be the initiative's first priority,
jurisdictions across the country are eligible - and strongly encouraged - to apply for funding from
the District Attorney's Office. Efforts in New York State will include the statewide expansion of
New York City's "DNA Hits" database, which allows the City to share information among the
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NYPD, and District Attorneys' Offices, connecting crime
scene evidence to offender profiles and other crime scenes.

Over the coming weeks, the Office and its partners will publish a full set of "best practices" for
collecting, testing, and effectively utilizing DNA found in rape kits, expanding on those developed in
New York City and State over the past two decades, including:

Performing a full audit of the jurisdiction's untested rape kits,

Testing each untested kit, or at the minimum, conducting a preliminary pilot program with the
input of the District Attorney's Office,
Building and enhancing relations between police, prosecutors, and other key stakeholders,
Adhering to a pre-established timeline and set of parameters and goals, and
Creating mechanisms for information sharing, including DNA databases and tracking systems.

New York as a M odel

New York City and State have long been leaders in DNA testing, and District Attorney Vance's
initiative will expand on that success by developing best practices for testing, tracking, and utilizing
rape kit evidence for jurisdictions across the country. Between 2000 and 2003, New York City sent
out approximately 17,000 rape kits for testing, creating a model for other large cities to tackle their
own backlogs. From those kits, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office was able to file 49
indictments based on DNA cold case hits. Combined, those offenders are now serving more than
900 years in jail. The Office also pioneered efforts to indict the unidentified DNA profiles
developed from these previously-dormant rape kits as "John Does," thereby stopping the clock on
the statute of limitations. The Office indicted 24 of these "John Doe" DNA profiles - 18 of which
are still waiting for a DNA match to enter the system.
Recognizing the importance of DNA evidence, in 2010, District Attorney Vance created the
Forensic Sciences /Cold Case Unit. The Unit, working with the NYPD, is re-examining physical
evidence in cold homicide and rape cases using new forensic techniques, as well as re-interviewing
witnesses. To enhance the amount and quality of available evidence, District Attorney Vance
strongly advocated for the "All Crimes DNA" Bill, signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
in 2012. Before the passage of the law, DNA was collected from only 48 percent of convicted
offenders. The law now requires DNA samples to be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or
misdemeanor, drastically expanding the State's DNA database.

Funding the Initiative

The funding being allocated by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is the result of sanctions
cases, including its share of approximately $440 million of the $8.83 billion settlement reached in
June 20] 4 with I3 P Pa.ti bas S.A. (I3 PP) - the largest bank in France - for violating U.S.
sanctions. Inthe guilty plea, BNPP admitted to moving hundreds of millions of dollars through
Manhattan- based financial institutions on behalf of primarily Sudanese, Iranian, and Cuban clients.
Today's announcement is the second major allocation of these funds, following last month's
announcement of the $160 tnillion NYPD Mobifav Tni tiative, which will provide NYPD officers
with more than 40,000 mobile devices, including tablet computers and handheld devices that will
streamline law enforcement efforts, increase the safety of New Yorkers and police officers alike, and
ensure fairness within the City's criminal justice system. The District Attorney's Office intends to

make additional funding announcements in the near future focusing on transformative projects in
cybercrime, mental health, public housing, and domestic violence.

###
Additional news available at: www.manhattanda.com
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook
New York County District Attorney I 212-335-9400

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
mmiller@waynecounty.com

Weekly Updates
Week of November 16 - 22, 2014
Three Pages

For Immediate Release

NEWS UPDATES
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Reno, Travis and Rich - Defendants charged in connection with the homicide of French
street artist Bilal Berreni. The court date is scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2014 at
10:30 a.m. before Judge Wagner.
Evan Reed - The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office appeal of the dismissal of Criminal
Sexual Conduct charges at the preliminary examination stage will be heard on November 21, 2014
at 9:00
a.m. before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Michael Callahan.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Bassel Saad - Charged in fatal assault of referee during an adult soccer game in Livonia.
The case has been transferred to Judge Thomas Cameron for a motion hearing scheduled for
Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.
Adult Designated Juvenile Male, Age 14 - Juvenile charged in connection with the murder
of French Street artist Bilal Berreni. He appeared in Juvenile Court today before Judge
Alexis Glendening for a Competency Hearing only. He was found competent to stand trial.
The court scheduled a pretrial hearing for Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. in the
Lincoln Hall of Justice.
-more-

Joseph Weekley - Detroit officer tried in the fatal shooting death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones .
On October 10, 2014 the court declared a mistrial due to a hung jury, Today the court rescheduled the pre-trial hearing in the case from November 21, 2014 until December 12, 2014 at
9:00 a.m.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Detroit Man Charged in Casmere Street Homicide of Mother

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged John Webster Aubrey, 24 (DOB: 7/31/90) of Detroit, in
connection with the death of his mother. On November 16, 2014 at approximately 10:00 p.m., it is
alleged that Aubrey strangled and killed his mother Ellen Aubrey, 57; in their home located in the
6000 block of Casmere in Detroit. On November 18, 2014 at approximately 7:40 p.m., Ms.
Aubrey's lifeless body was discovered in her home by Detroit Police officers when they were called
to the location on a wellness check.
The defendant has been charged with First Degree Murder and a 35th District court magistrate is
expected to arraign Aubrey by video today between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. today. Please contact
the Detroit Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.

#####
Carlos
Love and Dantraz Oliver-McClung - Defendants convicted in connection with a
sexual assault that occurred in the Jason Manor Apartments in Detroit. Love was sentenced
today to 14 to 30 years on three Criminal Sexual Conduct First Degree charges and five to
ten years on the four Assault with Intent to Penetrate charges. All of Love's sentences are
concurrent. Oliver- McClung will be sentenced today at 2:00 p.m. before Judge James Callahan.

Bassel Saad - Charged in fatal assault of referee during an adult soccer game in Livonia.
The case has been transferred to Judge Thomas Cameron for a motion hearing previously
scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. has been adjourned by the court. No
new date has been given to the parties at this time.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Lavere Brvant - Defendant in Dearborn Family Dollar Store homicides. The jury was sent
to deliberate the case at 2:00 p.m. today before Judge Qiana Lillard.
-more-

Algonac Street Homicide Case - This afternoon we have received a warrant request that
is currently being reviewed.. An arraignment is not expected today.
Evan Reed - Former Tiger baseball player who had two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct Third
Degree dismissed in 36th District Court. Today the appeal brought by the Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office was argued by Assistant Prosecutor Ana Quiroz and defense attorney Ben
Gonek before by Judge Michael Callahan. Judge Callahan reversed the ruling of the 36th District
Court Judge Kenneth King finding that he abused his discretion dismissing the case. Judge
Callahan has ordered the case back to Judge King for bind over; no court date has been
scheduled at this time. The defense plans to appeal the ruling in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Carlos Love and Dantraz Oliver-McClung - Defendants convicted in connection with a
sexual assault that occurred in the Jason Manor Apartments in Detroit. Love and OliverMcclung were both sentenced yesterday to 14 to 30 years on three Criminal Sexual Conduct
First Degree charges and five to 10 years on the four Assault with Intent to Penetrate
charges. All of the sentences are concurrent.

Carlos Love
3

Dantraz Oliver-McClung

Bassel Saad - Charged in fatal assault of referee during an adult soccer game in Livonia.
The case has been transferred to Judge Thomas Cameron for a motion hearing previously
scheduled for Friday, November 21, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. has been adjourned by the court. The next
court date is scheduled for November 26, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Lavere Bryant - Defendant in Dearborn Family Dollar Store homicides. The jury will continue their
deliberations on Monday, November 24, 2014 in Judge Qiana Lillard's courtroom.

Lavere Bryant

#####

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

Weekly Updates
Week of November 30 - December 6, 2014
Two Pages

For Immediate Release

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
mmill er@waynecounty.com

NEW S UPDATES
Monday, December 1, 2014

Detroit Man Charged in Double Homicide on Piedmont Street

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Alonzo D. Long, Jr., 22 (DOB: 7/19/92), of Detroit, with
two counts of First Degree Murder, one count of Discharge in a Building and one count of Felony
Firearm, in connection with the fatal shooting deaths of Howard Franklin, 72 and his daughter
Catherine J. Franklin, 37, both of Detroit. On November 28, 2014 at approximately 7:30 p.m., it is
alleged that the defendant and some other men were removing fixtures at a home owned by Mr.
Franklin located on the 15100 block of Piedmont. When the men were confronted by Mr. Franklin,
Defendant Long fatally shot the Franklins with a handgun. Long fled the scene and was later
arrested by the Detroit Police Department. The case remains under investigation at this time.
Long is expected to be arraigned this morning at 10:30 a.m. in 361h District Court. Please contact
the Detroit Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.
UPDATE: We have been informed that due to a bomb threat 361h District Court has been
evacuated and the arraignment will not take place this morning. We will send out updated
information when it is received from the court.
Long was arraigned and remanded to jail today in 361h District Court. His prelimina'ry examination is
scheduled for December 11, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Please contact the Detroit Police Department for a
photograph of the defendant.

Alonzo D. Long, Jr.

-more-

Thursday. December 4, 2014

Detroit Man Charged in Shoemaker Apartment Arson

Marvella Lashawn Walker , 27 (DOB 4/26/87), of Detroit will be arraigned at 10:30 a.m. today in
35th District court on charges of Arson First Degree, Placing an Offensive Substance with Intent,
and Arson Preparation to Burn a Dwelling.
On November 30, 2014 at 7:06 p.m., it is alleged that Walker set fire to a house located in the
9600 block of Shoemaker that caused burning and charring to an apartment building which had 27
occupied units. No one was seriously injured in the fire. The Detroit Fire Department responded
and extinguished the fire. The investigation was aided by a surveillance video that captured the
suspect setting the fire.
Please contact the Detroit Police Department for a photograph of the defendant.

#####

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
mmiller@waynecounty.com

Weekly Updates
Week of December 7 - 13, 2014
Four Pages
For Immediate Release

NEWS UPDATES
Monday, December 8, 2014

Two Men Charged in Assault of Detroit Teacher

Cleveland Moore, 29 and Alonzo Griffin, 27, both of Detroit, have each been charged with
Felonious Assault and Aggravated Assault for allegedly attacking a 51-year-old substitute teacher
at Central High School in Detroit on December 5, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
The defendants were both arraigned and have a preliminary examination date of December 19,
2014 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Joseph Baltimore. Both defendants received a $25,000/10%
bond.

#####

Woman Charged with Assaulting and Resisting Police Officer

Angel Terri Birch, 33, of Detroit, has been charged with Assault with Intent to Murder, Assault with
Intent to do Great Bodily Harm, Felonious Assault and Resting and Obstructing Causing Serious
Impairment, Resisting and Obstructing Causing Injury and two counts of Resisting and Obstructing
the Police.
On December 6, 2014 at approximately 9:40 a.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a
home in the 19300 block of Santa Rosa to investigate a suspicious person. When they went to the
location, it is alleged that Birch came to the door and failed to comply with the officers and cut one
-more-

of the officers multiple times in the face with a razor blade. The officer was taken to a local hospital
and treated for lacerations on his face.
Birch was in court this morning and the court appointed an attorney for her. The arraignment will
resume at 2:30 p.m. in 36th District Court before Magistrate Charles Anderson.
UPDATE: Defendant Birch was arraigned on the warrant today with a $25,000 cash/ surety bond
and a preliminary examination scheduled for December 19, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge
Wagner.

#####
Robert Tyus - Detroit Transit officer charged in the fatal shooting death of Jordan West-Morson, 26
at the time of his death. On May 1, 2013, Tyus and the victim got into an argument that escalated
into a fist fight. It is alleged that Tyus pushed the victim causing him to stumble backwards, when
Tyus drew his gun and fired one shot, killing West-Morson. The case was dismissed at trial
because the prosecution was unable to proceed. The case was re-issued for charges of
Manslaughter and Felony Firearm on December 4, 2014. Today the defendant was arraigned and
given a 25,000/10% bond in 36th District Court before Magistrate Charles Anderson. His
preliminary examination will be held on December 19, 2014 before Judge Michael Wagner.
Robert Bashara Closing Arguments - The closing arguments have been moved by Judge
Vonda Evans until Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, December 91 2014

Robert Bashara Closing Arguments -Today the parties continue covering jury instructions with the
court. The closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
before Judge Vonda Evans.
Frederick Kyle Young and Felando Hunter - Closing arguments are scheduled tomorrow at
9:00
a.m. before Judge Vera Massey Jones in the case where defendants are charged with the July
2012 homicides of Westland teens Jacob Kudla and Jourdan Babbish.

Felando Hunter

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Darnell Cheatham - The defendant was convicted today for the July 24, 2011 murder
of
Mariah Smith on Waverly Street in Detroit. The jury convicted him of Second Degree Murder,
Felony Murder, Arson of a Dwelling House, Torture, Child Abuse First Degree and Mutilation of
a Dead Body. The sentence is scheduled for January 6, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Ulysses
Boykin.

Darnell Cheatham

-more-

Thursday, December 11. 2014

Lavere Bryant - Defendant convicted in the double homicide of two Family Dollar employees
that occurred on July 15, 2013 on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. The defendant was sentenced
today to Life in Prison Without Parole on two counts of First Degree Murder and Life in Prison
Without Parole on two counts of Felony Murder, 37 to 60 years on one count of Armed Robbery,
14 to 30 years on one count of Unlawful Imprisonment, four to 10 years one count of Felon in
Possession of a Firearm and two years consecutive on one count of Felony Firearm.
Case number 13-007369-01-FH, charged against Bryant for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender
Reporting, was dismissed by the prosecution today.

Fredrick Kyle Young and Felando Hunter .,.... Today a jury c::onvicted the defendants as charged
of two counts each of First Degree Murder and Felony Murder, one count each of Torture,
Armed Robbery, Unlawful Imprisonment and Felony Firearm. Fredrick Young was also convicted
of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. They will be sentenced before Judge Vera Massey Jones on
January 21, 2015.
Terry Dwayne Catchings - Defendant charged with First Degree Murder and Felony Firearm in
the fatal shooting of a male at East English Village Preparatory Academy. On November 7,
2014, a jury convicted Catchings of Felony Firearm and found him not guilty of First Degree
Murder. He was sentenced to two years in the Michigan Department of Corrections on the
Felony Firearm charge today before Judge Michael Callahan.

Terry Dwayne Catchings

Friday, December 12, 2014

Jayru Campbell - We have just been informed that the sentence hearing on the Domestic Violence
Assault and Battery charge in 361h District Court scheduled for today has been changed by the
court to December 17, 2014.
Father Timothy Kane - We have just been informed by the court that, due to the large volume
of cases up today, Defendant Kane's sentence hearing has been re-scheduled. It will be heard
on Monday, December 15, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Bruce Morrow.
Joseph Weekley - DPD officer charged in connection with the fatal shooting death
of
Aiyana Stanley-Jones. On October 10, 2014, the case was declared a mistrial due to a hung jury.
Today the case has been set for Pre-Trial Conference on February 27, 2015 and a trial date
has been scheduled for March 30, 2015.
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Detroit Man Charged for Making False Bomb Threat

Jeffrey Allen Turner, 47 (DOB: 7/25/67) of Detroit, has been charged with Threat of Bomb/Harmful
Device. It is alleged that Turner went to the 12th Precinct and made a false bomb report on
December 10, 2014 at 6:48 p.m. He is expected to be arraigned this afternoon at 1:00 p.m.
according to the police. Please verify this time with the court.
#####

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
mmiller@waynecounty.com

Weekly Updates
Week of December 14 - 20, 2014
Five Pages
For Immediate Release

NEWS UPDATES
Monday Decem ber 15, 2014
Father Timothy Kane - Roman Catholic priest convicted in fraudulent scheme to steal money
from an Archdiocese of Detroit Charity. He was sentenced today on charges of Continuing
Criminal Enterprise, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, Uttering and Publishing, Conspiracy to
Commit Uttering and Publishing, Embezzlement from a Charitable Institution, Conspiracy to
Embezzle from a Charitable Institution. Although his guidelines were 36 months to 60
months, Judge Bruce Morrow deviated from the guidelines. Kane was sentenced to 12 months in
the Wayne County Jail to be served in the months of December and January for the next five
years; and he was also given five years of probation and restitution of $131,400. The defendant
will be turning himself in to report for jail on December 16, 2014.
"This is a most unusual sentence that is below the defendant's guidelines. It is especially troubling
considering that he was convicted as charged of multiple counts of stealing money from the poor.
We will be determining whether we will appeal the case in the next several days," said Assistant
Prosecutor Maria Miller.

Timothy Kane

Two Men Charged in Fatal Shooting of 79-Year-Old Westland Man

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged Dale. Morgan, 42, of
Ypsilanti and Cortez Butler, 42, of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of Charles Graham, 79,
of Westland. The complainant met with Morgan on December 6, 2014 at approximately 5:30 in
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the morning and they went to a house in the 9300 block of Woodlawn in Detroit where they met
Butler. Shortly thereafter, the three men got into a nearby car and it is alleged that Butler handed
the complainant a bottle of pills and asked Graham for money. There was a dispute between the
men and when Graham would not give the money, it is alleged that Morgan fired a handgun, fatally
striking Graham in the head. Defendants Morgan and Butler fled the scene. Investigation by the
Detroit Police Department led to the arrests of the two defendants on December 11, 2014.
Dale Morgan has been charged with First Degree Murder, Felony Murder and Felony Firearm. He
was arraigned on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and was remanded to jail. Cortez Butler has been
charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition and was
arraigned on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and received a bond of $1 million dollars. Both
defendants received a preliminary examination date of December 23, 2014 in 361h District court at
1:30 p.m.

Cortez Butler

#####

Father Timothy Kane - Roman Catholic priest convicted in fraudulent scheme to steal money from
an Archdiocese of Detroit Charity. He was sentenced today on charges of Continuing Criminal
enterprise, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, Uttering and Publishing, Conspiracy to Commit
Uttering and Publishing Embezzlement from a Charitable Institution, Conspiracy to Embezzle from
a Charitable Institution. Although his guidelines were 36 months to 60 months, Judge Bruce
Morrow deviated from the guidelines. Kane was sentenced to 12 months in the Wayne County Jail
to be served in the months of December and June along with another eight weeks to be
determined by the probation department for the next five years. He was also given five years of
probation and restitution of $131,400. The defendant will be turning himself in to report for jail on
December 16, 2014.
"This is a most unusual sentence that is below the defendant's guidelines. It is especially troubling
considering that he was convicted as charged of multiple counts of stealing money from the poor.
We will be determining whether we will appeal the case in the next several days," said Assistant
Prosecutor Maria Miller.

Tuesday. December 16, 2014

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an
undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court today. When we
receive further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released.
Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations on Tuesday, December 16, 20.14,
because the defendant has an undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in
court. When we receive further information about the schedule from the court updated
information will be released.
-more-

Statement of Kym Worthy on Misleading Warrant Backlog Article*

The headline and the article in the Detroit News today titled "Warrant backlog frees suspects" is
misleading. The piece gives the impression that suspects arrested and held by the police in
connection with murders, sexual assaults and robberies are being released because the Wayne
County Prosecutor's Office does not have adequate staff to charge a case. We prioritize all cases
where there is a suspect that has been arrested and they are all reviewed by prosecutors. We
have had to return a number of warrants from the Detroit Police Department for further
investigation when they have been presented without sufficient evidence to charge the case. In
some instances this has caused the Detroit Police Department to release the suspect if the police
cannot produce the requested work in a timely fashion. The charging standard that we are held to
is beyond a reasonable doubt, and it is crucial to have the witness statements, taped evidence
and, in certain cases forensic evidence, before we can responsibly charge a person in a capital
case. Although, I respect Chief Craig, Iam disappointed that he would give quotes that omit these
significant facts.
Because we have been short staffed, we have had a backlog of cases presented where the
defendant is not-in-custody. I have been very vocal about letting the public know that our lack of
staffing has resulted in our not being able to review these warrants to make a charging decision. I
wonder why no one was listening to this for the last two years?
*Warrant backlog frees suspects: http://www .detroitnews .com/story/news/local/waynecounty/2014/12/15/detroit-warrant-backlog-frees-suspects/20467183/
Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an
undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court. When we
receive
further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released later
today.
Jayru Campbell - Cass Tech High football player sentenced by 361h district Court Judge Ruth
Carter to a one-year probation term consecutive to the jail time imposed by Judge Kenny on the
probation violation on a case where he assaulted a security officer earlier this year. It was ordered
that Campbell be tested for steroid use and the court also suggested and ordered a psychiatric
evaluation, anger management classes and entry into a mentoring program run by former Mayor
Dave Bing. Mayor Bing was present in the courtroom during the sentence hearing.
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Detroit Man Charged in Dog Assault on Detroit Police Officer

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Darrel Campbell, 36 (DOB 8/4/78), with one count each of
Dangerous Animal Causing Serious Injury, Felonious Assault, Resisting and Obstructing Causing
Injury, and Resisting and Obstructing. On December 14, 2014 at approximately 4:40 p.m., while
the police were investigating Campbell at a home in the 12600 block of Meyers, it is alleged that he
left the house with an approximately 1DO-pound bulldog that he unleashed upon a male police
officer while he attempted to flee the scene and avoid arrest by the police. The dog bit the officer,
causing an injury. The dog was euthanized on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. The defendant was
1
subsequently arrested by the police on the same date. He is expected to be arraigned in 36 h
District Court today at 2:30 p.m.

#####

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The jury will not resume deliberations today because the defendant has an
undisclosed medical issue that will not allow him to be present in court. When we receive
further information about the schedule from the court updated information will be released later
today.
Jayru Campbell - Cass Tech High football player sentenced by 361h district Court Judge Ruth
Carter to a 1 year probation term consecutive to the jail time imposed by Judge Kenny on the
probation violation on a case where he assaulted a security officer earlier this year. It was ordered
that Campbell be tested for steroid use and the court also suggested and ordered a psychiatric
evaluation, anger management classes and entry into a mentoring program run by former Mayor
Dave Bing. Mayor Bing was present in the courtroom during the sentence hearing.
At the preliminary examination, the charges of Unarmed Robbery and Assault with Intent to Murder
were dismissed by Judge Carter, leaving only the domestic violence charge. The Wayne County
Prosecutor's Office has filed an appeal to the Wayne County Circuit Court that will be heard before
Judge Margaret Van Houten on January 20, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.
Angel Birch - Defendant accused of assaulting and severely wounding a Detroit 1
h
Precinct officer with a razor blade. Birch's preliminary exam was adjourned today to February
17, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Michael Wagner because she was referred for competency
to stand trial and criminal responsibility.

Detroit Man Charged in Dog Assault on Detroit Police Officer

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy has charged Darrel Campbell, 36 (DOB 8/4/78), with one count each of
Dangerous Animal Causing Serious Injury, Felonious Assault, Resisting and Obstructing Causing
Injury, and Resisting and Obstructing. On December 14, 2014 at approximately 4:40 p.m., while
-more5

the police were investigating Campbell at a home in the 12600 block of Meyers, it is alleged that he
left the house with an approximately 100 pound bulldog that he unleashed upon a male police
officer while he attempted to flee the scene. and arrest the police. The dog bit the officer causing
an injury. The dog was euthanized on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. The defendant was
subsequently arrested by the police on the same date. He was arraigned in 35th District
Court today and received a bond of $50,000/10% and preliminary examination date of on
December 29, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

#####

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The court has informed the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office that the jury will
resume deliberations on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant charged in the homicide of his wife
Jane Bashara. The court has announced that the jury has a verdict in the case that will be
announced at 3:00 p.m. today.

Robert Bashara - Grosse Pointe Park defendant convicted as charged in the homicide of his
wife Jane Bashara. See press release attached including a statement from Prosecutor Worthy.
The prosecution will conduct interviews once the sentence hearing in the case is completed on
January 15, 2015.

####

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

COUN1Y OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
; mmiller@co.wayne.mi.us

Press Release
December 18,2014
Three Pages

For Immediate Release

Robert Bashara Convicted As Charged

Today after 12 weeks in trial a jury has convicted Robert Bashara of, Conspiracy to Commit First
Degree Murder, Solicitation to Commit Murder, First Degree Murder, Witness Intimidation, and
Obstruction of Justice. On April 17, 2013 Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged Robert Bashara, 57,
formerly of Grosse Pointe Park in connection with the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara, 56, in
their marital home located in the 500 block of Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park. Robert Moran,
Chief of Special Investigations and Lisa Lindsey, Lead Assistant Prosecuting Attorney prosecuted
the case. He will be sentenced on before Judge Vonda Evans on January 15, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
"We applaud the jury's time, attention, and patience during this very lengthy trial. We are extremely
pleased with this verdict and hope that it gives the family of Jane Bashara some respite. This three
year investigation and prosecution would not have been possible without the extreme dedication of
the Wayne County Assistant Prosecutors, Investigators, and Staff; the Federal and State agencies
and the Detroit and Grosse Pointe Park Police Departments. May Jane now truly rest in peace,"
said Prosecutor Worthy.
Background Information

On April 17, 2013 Prosecutor charged Robert Bashara, 55, of Grosse Pointe Park in connection
with the homicide of his wife Jane Bashara, 56, in their marital home located in the 500 block of
Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park. Robert Moran, Chief of Special Investigations and Lisa Lindsey,
Lead Assistant Prosecuting Attorney prosecuted the case.
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On January 24, 2012, at approximately 11:35 p.m. it is alleged that Robert Bashara called the
Grosse Pointe Park Police and reported that his wife had not come home. On January 25, 2012,
the Detroit Police Department responded to a police run in reference to a dead female in a black
Mercedes located in the rear of an alley in the 19400 block of Annott on the east side of Detroit.
The female was identified as Jane Bashara.
On January 31, 2012, Joseph Gentz, 49, formerly of Grosse Pointe Park, walked into the Grosse
Park Police Department and turned himself in for the murder of Jane Bashara; however, after
being held in police custody for 72 hours, he was released by the police. On March 2, 2012, Gentz
was charged and arrested for First Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the
homicide of Jane Bashara. Gentz pleaded guilty on December 21, 2012, to Second Degree
Murder with a sentence agreement of 17 years to 28 years in the Michigan Department of
Corrections with the condition that he testifies truthfully in any proceedings. During the guilty plea,
he stated that he was paid by Bashara to kill his wife. He was sentenced on February 19, 2012
before Judge Vonda Evans and is currently serving the 17 to 28 year sentence in Michigan
Department of Corrections.
During the course of the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Jane Bashara, it was
discovered that he planned to have Joseph Gentz killed while he was incarcerated. Bashara had
several meetings with individuals who he paid to have Joseph Gentz murdered in the jail between
the dates of June 8 and June 25, 2012. On June 27, 2012, Bashara was charged with Solicitation
of Murder, a felony that carries a penalty of Life or Any Term of Years in prison. On October, 11,
2012, he pleaded guilty as charged to Solicitation to Murder Joseph Gentz at a pre-trial hearing
before Judge Bruce U. Morrow. Bashara was sentenced on December 10, 2013, and is currently
serving 80 months to 240 months in the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Bashara was originally charged with :

First Degree Murder

(Mandatory Life without Parole),
Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder (Life or Any Term of Years),
Solicitation to Commit Murder
(Life or any Term of Years),
Suborning of Perjury During a Capital Trial (Life or Any Term of Years), This
count was dismissed by the court in a directed verdict motion on December 2,
2014
Witness Intimidation
(15 Years) and
Obstruction of Justice (Five years).

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The investigation into the death of Jane Bashara took approximately one year and three months
because of the complexity of the case. Numerous tips were tracked down that lead to important
evidence in the case. Multiple cell phone numbers and computers were forensically analyzed.
There are approximately 300 witnesses and approximately 5000 pages of documents that are
involved in the prosecution's case. The investigation was conducted in Michigan and in Iowa,
Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, Oregon and Texas.

There were 15 agencies that contributed to the investigation of the case: the Grosse Pointe Park
Public Safety Department, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Criminal Investigation Division,
the Detroit Police Department, the Michigan State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and
Firearms, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Grosse Pointe City
Public Safety Department, the Livonia Police Department; Michigan Department of Corrections, the
Roseville Police Department, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Kentucky State Police Lexington, Cook County District Attorney's Office and the Chicago Police Department.

Bob Bashara

##t#####
3

KYM L. WORTHY

PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

COUNTY OF WAYNE
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATIORNEY

FRANK MURPHY HALL OF JUSTICE

1441 ST. ANTOINE STREET
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-2302

Contact: Maria Miller

Wayne County Prosecutor's Office
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
(313) 224-5817
(313) 213-0457
rrymiller@waynecounty.com

Weekly Updates
Week of December 28 - 31 2014
Two Pages
For Immediate Release

NEWS UPDATES
Monday, December 29, 2014

Detroit Man Arraigned in Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old Male on Christmas Day

Today the indictment* against Dwayne Sharper, Jr. (DOB: 9/6/95) of Detroit, was unsealed and he
was arraigned on charges of Manslaughter, Felony Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm in
connection with the fatal shooting death of Bernard Walker, 16, of Detroit. It is alleged that Sharper
and Walker were in a house in the 4100 block of Virginia Park on December 25, 2014 when
Sharper shot Walker while handling a revolver that discharged, striking the teen in the head.
Walker died from the wound in a local hospital on December 26, 2014.
The defendant was arraigned in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice before Judge Cynthia Hathaway
today on the manslaughter case. He was also indicted and arraigned in a separate case on
charges of Armed Robbery, Felony Firearm, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Possession of a
Stolen Firearm. On December 22, 2014 at 9:15 p.m., it is alleged that Sharper robbed a woman at
gunpoint, taking her cash and personal property while she was in the driveway of her home located
on Virginia Park. The home was a separate location from the place where Bernard Walker was
knled. A docket conference was scheduled for both cases on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 8:30
a.m. before Judge Timothy Kenny. Judge Hathaway remanded the defendant until the January ]1h
until a Defendant Screening Unit report could be prepared by the Probation Department for the
purpose of accessing bond. Attorney William Winters was appointed to represent the defendant on
both cases.
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Nine-Year-Old

Clifton Shortie Jr., 34 (DOB: 6/29/80), of Detroit, has been charged in connection with the fatal
shooting of a nine-year-old boy. On December 29, 2014 at 9:30 p.m. at a home in the 11200
Roxbury in Detroit, it is alleged that Shortie left a loaded rifle unsecured in the basement that was
found by the victim and some other boys. While playing with the weapon, it discharged killing, the
nine-year-old boy.
Shortie, who is the boyfriend of the victim's mother, had left the ho1;1se for a brief time when the
incident happened. When he returned and found the boy wounded, he called 911. The boy was
taken by Detroit police officers to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Shortie has been charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Child Abuse Second Degree (failure to
secure a loaded weapon) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He will be arraigned tomorrow
morning in Romulus. Please confirm the time with the court.
#####