A 77-year-old Charlotte, Michigan landlord has been bound over to circuit court on felony charges accusing him of criminal sexual conduct against a person who rented an apartment from him. Joseph Fix now faces one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct along with two newly added counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, with the underlying allegation tracing back to an August 1, 2022 offense date listed in online court records.
The Charlotte Police Department announced that Fix was bound over on the multiple felony charges, according to WLNS 6 News. Fix was arraigned in June on the single first-degree charge before Eaton County investigators added the two second-degree counts, and he was formally bound over to Eaton County Circuit Court on the first-degree charge this past Friday, per the same report.
How the Case Moves Through Eaton County Courts
Felony cases like Fix's begin in the 56A District Court for a preliminary examination, where a judge must find probable cause before the case can be sent to the 56th Circuit Court for trial. Both courts sit at 1045 Independence Boulevard in Charlotte, according to Eaton County / Attorney Tara Nichol. From here, prosecution falls to Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Douglas R. Lloyd's office, which evaluates the police investigation and presents evidence at hearings as the case proceeds toward circuit court arraignment.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 750.520b, first-degree criminal sexual conduct is a Class A felony that carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or any term of years, a penalty that requires proving sexual penetration occurred alongside an aggravating factor such as force, injury, or abuse of authority. The two additional second-degree counts each carry up to 15 years in prison under MCL 750.520c, a charge that involves intentional sexual contact under aggravating circumstances but does not require proof of penetration.
Why a 2022 Allegation Can Still Be Charged Today
Michigan law allows first-degree criminal sexual conduct to be charged at any time, without a statutory deadline, under the state's code of criminal procedure. That exemption from standard statutes of limitation is why investigators were legally able to bring charges in 2026 for an offense dated to August 2022, regardless of how much time passed before it was reported.
Police said the charges against Fix stem from a larger investigation into accusations of inappropriate behavior, according to the WLNS report. Investigators are asking anyone with relevant information to contact Cpt. Scott Brooks at 517-543-1552.
Landlord-Tenant Sex Crime Cases Draw Wider Scrutiny in Michigan
The case adds to a string of Michigan matters involving alleged sexual misconduct by landlords against tenants. In December 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that Michigan rental property owner William Asper engaged in sexual harassment and coercion against female tenants, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In April 2024, Michigan landlord Mohamad Hussein agreed to pay $185,000 in damages and civil penalties to resolve a separate DOJ Fair Housing Act lawsuit over sexual harassment of female tenants, per the agency's records. The DOJ also runs a Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative targeting landlords and housing providers accused of demanding sexual favors or assaulting renters.
Eaton County has handled similar felony bind-overs before: a Potterville man was bound over for trial on first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in 2025 and scheduled to appear in the 56th Circuit Court following a preliminary examination.
