Earlier this month, 46-year-old ex-Detroit police officer Geoffrey Townsend was found guilty by an Oakland County jury on six counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was accused of statutory rape after allegedly becoming involved with females who attended his “Reality Check Detroit,” a boot-camp type program for troubled teens. Now, Townsend has been sentenced to between 10 and 15 years in prison by Oakland County Circuit Judge Martha D. Anderson.
Townsend was convicted on five counts of CSC with a child between the ages of 13 and 15. According to a news article at CBS Detroit, Townsend alleged had sex with five girls who were involved in his boot-camp, but was only charged in relation with two of the victims. The defendant allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the girls beginning in October of 2010 and continuing through August 2012 at his home in Farmington Hills.
Prosecutors in the case presented Townsend as a “serial” predator who purposely targeted young teenage girls who were troubled. Tricia Dare, Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor, said that because people trusted the defendant, he was able to commit the crimes.
Townsend’s defense attorney questioned why the alleged victims waited so long to come forth with reports of the sexual assaults, and said that they were simply looking for money. Charges were filed against Townsend in April of this year; he promptly submitted his resignation from the Detroit Police Department.
As all Michigan sex crime defense attorneys know, being accused of statutory rape, whether convicted or not, can ruin an individual’s career and reputation. The criminal penalties are severe, as is evidenced in this case considering Townsend will spend the next 10 to 15 years behind bars.
If you have been accused of sexual assault, rape, or any related offense, contact an aggressive and skilled Michigan sex crime lawyer right away so that work can begin to protect your legal rights, freedom, and reputation.