In a recent ruling, a judge has denied the motion to reduce the $250,000 bond for De'Andre Booker, the ex-boyfriend of missing Macomb County mother Ashley Elkins. Elkins was last seen on January 2, 2025, and Booker has been charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly lying to the police about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. CBS News Detroit reported that during the court proceeding, which took place via Zoom, Elkins' mother had expressed fear at the possibility of Booker's release, emphasizing the trauma inflicted upon the family and her grandchildren.
Arguments in court underscored the severity of the charge against Booker. Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Carmen DeFranco contested the defense attorney's claim that the lying charge was minor, stating that to Elkins' family, "someone lying to the police on her whereabouts is more than a serious charge," as reported by CBS News Detroit. Booker's attorney responded by suggesting that the high bond was preemptively based on potential future charges rather than the current one. The judge ultimately decided to keep the bond unchanged, citing Booker's flight risk status due to compelling evidence against him.
Further indicating the gravity of Booker's situation, FOX 2 Detroit highlighted in their reporting the judge's recognition of the unusual nature of the bond amount set for Booker's charge. The prosecution supported their stance on the bond by presenting evidence of Booker's suspicious internet activity, which included searching for topics like "fastest routes from Flint to Ohio," "how to beat a polygraph," and "if blood is traceable," as mentioned by Click on Detroit. This detail, as well as evidence obtained from a dumpster and a landfill search, seemed to have been taken into consideration when the court ruled on the bond request. FOX 2 Detroit also noted that while no criminal history is recorded for Booker, he was removed from the military with a less than honorable discharge in 2017.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the search for Elkins included combing over Pine Tree Acres Landfill in Lenox Township, an area previously searched in another case. Although the search was concluded on January 19 without locating Elkins, police remain determined to analyze all items recovered from the landfill. As the investigation continues, her family and the broader community await any further developments, with a GoFundMe established to support the family during this trying time.
The legal proceedings involving Booker are set to include a probable cause conference on February 5 and a preliminary examination on February 26. The family of Ashley Elkins continues to hope for a breakthrough and justice before the next court date arrives.
