A 34-year-old Manchester man is facing felony charges after allegedly arranging a sexual encounter with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually a decoy.
Justin Weiland was arraigned last Friday at 37th District Court in Warren on one count of child sexually abusive activity and two counts of using a computer to communicate with another person to commit a crime, according to CBS Detroit. Prosecutors allege he communicated with the purported teen and made plans to meet for sex.
Police Say Private Group Flagged Suspicious Online Contact
The case began last Wednesday, when a private child-predator investigation group contacted the Warren Police Department about the alleged communications. Police said the person portraying the teen was a decoy, rather than an actual 14-year-old girl.
Charge Carries Potential 20-Year Prison Sentence
Michigan law makes persuading, inducing, enticing, coercing or attempting to arrange for a child to engage in sexually abusive activity a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison under certain circumstances, according to the Michigan Legislature. The charge against Weiland is an allegation, and the available reporting does not establish that a sexual encounter occurred.
Weiland’s bond was set at $75,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with minors, CBS Detroit reported. His probable cause conference is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Charges Remain Allegations
Weiland has not been convicted, and court proceedings will determine how the case moves forward. The allegations described in the charging documents and prosecutor’s account have not been tested at trial.
