Michigan has had a really bad run of late, when it comes to our people in positions of authority. The Flint water crisis, which had celebrities on the other side of the country calling for Governor Snyder’s head on a platter, the sex scandal involving two of our state legislators, the arrest of Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings for hiring prostitutes, and even the allegations against the former Flint Police Chief for perjury, have all added up to rough patch for Michigan’s leaders. Unfortunately, this next story doesn’t appear to be any different.
Charles Pugh, the former Detroit City Council President, has been accused of molesting a 14-year-old boy. Pugh no longer lives in Michigan, having left the state and taken up residence in New York in the wake of a civil suit against him in 2015. The suit was brought by a 17-year-old boy, a student at Frederick Douglass Academy. The young man claimed that Pugh preyed on him and sent him sexually explicit texts.
Initially that victim sued for $1 million, but in November of 2015, the jury awarded him $250,000 for emotional distress and battery. Pugh was not present for any of those court appearances. He had already moved to New York, where he now lives and works, in an effort to avoid the case. That is no longer an option because the most recent allegations have resulted in something far less pleasant than a civil suit – criminal charges.
According to Detroit Police, the case dates back to 2003 when the alleged victim was only 14-years-old.
Pugh was a weekend morning anchor for FOX 2 in Detroit at the time. His accuser was a member of Detroit’s Mosaic Youth Theatre and regularly performed on the show. The pair developed a relationship after they met, but very few details have been released about what took place between them.
Pugh is now faced with a total of six charges, including three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. According to local law enforcement, Pugh hasn’t been arrested yet because he is still in New York. The Fugitive Apprehension Team from the Detroit Police Department is currently working on locating and apprehending him.
Once he has been arrested and extradited back to Michigan, he will be arraigned on the sex assault charges. Penalties for CSC 1st degree range up to life in prison. CSC 3rd degree carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in the Michigan Department of Corrections. Both charges would require Pugh to remain on the Michigan’s public Sex Offender Registry.
Sex assault crimes including child molestation are considered to be some of the worst crimes a person can commit in Michigan. For this reason, they are taken very seriously by prosecutors, judges and juries. If you have been charged with a sex crime, you are going to need premium level legal counsel during this very difficult, and very stressful time. Contact us immediately at 866-766-5245. We can help you.