A Michigan man faces serious charges after law enforcement officials say he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old child with autism. Dennis James Walters, 39, from Clio, was detained by the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (G.H.O.S.T.) and is now charged with first-degree, second-degree, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The arrest occurred on a public transit bus, with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson emphatically indicating that Walters allegedly chose to to position himself among vulnerable populations. "That's the kind of thing that this predator does," Swanson told FOX 2, a point reiterated in statements obtained by both WNEM and Mid-Michigan NOW.
Following the victim's bravery in coming forward, the investigation led the G.H.O.S.T. to conduct further investigations and interviews at a Genesee County group home. Voices for Children were involved in conducting the victim interview, showcasing the collaborative effort to bring justice to the forefront. The Sheriff's Office revealed that their inquiries into the premises where Walters was associated allowed them to track him down before his capture.
With Walters lodged in the Genesee County Jail, Sheriff Swanson remains concerned that more victims may exist and urged them to come forward. "We want to give you that voice," Swanson said, as per the information given to Mid-Michigan NOW. Walters' bond has been set at $25,000, and he is due in court for a probable cause conference on March 28, as WNEM reported.
In the face of these grave accusations, Sheriff Swanson assures continued protection and support for the victims. "We will protect you," he affirmed, a sentiment echoed across the reports from FOX 2, WNEM, and Mid-Michigan NOW. The community now watches as the wheels of justice begin their slow, painstaking turn in response to an alleged predator's vile actions against one of its most defenseless members.
