A Springfield Township man accused of shaking his child and nearly killing him is out of jail since a judge changed his $1 million bond to a personal bond – requiring no cash or surety to be posted.
Daniel Gracer, 31, is charged with one count of first-degree child abuse in connection with the near-fatal injuries his then-2-month-old son suffered in December. At Gracer’s arraignment earlier this month, a magistrate set bond at $1 million dollars and Gracer was remanded to the Oakland County Jail. At a court hearing on Tuesday, 52-2 District Judge Kelly Kostin granted Gracer a personal bond and he was released from jail shortly before 6 p.m., records show.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 23, 2024 deputies were called to a home in the 7000 block of Meadow Lane in Springfield Township for a report of an unresponsive baby. Gracer was caring for the boy at the time, the sheriff’s office said.
The baby suffered serious head and brain trauma, and a child abuse specialist who examined the baby determined the injuries were non-accidental, the sheriff’s office said. The brain injury, according to the specialist, was due to rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration, consistent with being shaken, the sheriff’s office said. The trauma was “nearly fatal,” the sheriff’s office said, and the baby is likely to have severely delayed development.
Hospital staff reportedly relayed the findings to the sheriff’s office which launched an investigation.
Gracer’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 14 for a probable cause conference.
It’s been a year since a Ferndale teen was fatally shot in a Southfield hotel room where he’d been hanging out with four friends.
But so far, no arrest has been made — because all of the witnesses refuse to speak with police about who pulled the trigger that ended the life of 15-year-old Tyler Johnson, said Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren.
The frustration that plagues Tyler’s grief-stricken mother because no one has been held accountable is not only justified, but personally relatable, Barren said: His own brother was murdered in 2007 in Detroit, and the case is still unsolved.
Just like in Tyler’s case, his brother’s friends “failed him,” Barren said, adding, “I can relate to friends not providing information.”
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday morning at the Southfield police station, Barren said investigators “absolutely” have an idea of which of the four teenage friends shot Tyler, killing him, but until one of them comes forward with the evidence needed, the case can’t progress. All have retained attorneys and aren’t cooperating with police, Barren said.
“We have physical evidence, we have circumstantial evidence…what we need is an eyewitness to bring those things together,” he said.
Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren and assistant prosecutor Justin Davis at Wednesday’s news conference (Screenshot from Fox 2 livestream)
Barren said “speculation” by the public, including comments made on social media, was a driving force behind the news conference — and reiterated why the case is stalled.
“We need these people — these juveniles who were there, (Tyler’s friends) — to have the courage to give this family justice. It takes courage to stand up,” he said.
Tyler was shot in the head on the morning of Feb. 11, 2024 at the Westin Hotel in Southfield and died from the injury four days later while hospitalized. He was a sophomore at Loyola High School in Detroit.
According to Southfield police, the five teenage friends were in a room rented by an uncle of one of them who left the boys there unsupervised. Police responding to the shooting detained two of the teens as they tried to flee — and one of them was found in possession of two firearms including the gun used to kill Tyler. He was charged with two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, which was adjudicated in juvenile court in Wayne County. But investigators have no evidence to directly tie him to the homicide, Barren said.
Cell phone evidence shows “multiple photos of the teens handling the weapon,” Barren said, but no photos of the fatal shooting were found.
Assistant prosecutor Justin Davis said Southfield police, including the chief, are “doing everything they can, exhausting all avenues.”
“At this point, they’ve reached a dead end…we need witnesses and we need evidence…to move forward with this case,” Davis said.
Barren said the five boys were close friends “who spent a lot of time together,” and their families also “associated as friends.”
A 28-year-old man has been charged with second-degree homicide in connection with a fatal shooting of a male sex worker Sunday in Southfield who was a member of the transgender community, police said.
Robert Ridges is accused of slaying Jamal Broom, who was found dead outside the Riverstone Apartments in the 25000 block of Shiawassee Road. Officers responding to a report of an unresponsive female lying facedown in the snow were dispatched to the apartment complex at around 10:15 a.m., police said.
Broom, dressed in women’s clothing, had been shot once in the head. A spent 9mm shell casing was found in the snow along with Broom’s Ohio driver’s license, police said. Broom’s vehicle was also located nearby, police said.
According to the Southfield Police Department, investigators determined that prior to the shooting Ridges had made approximately 33 calls to sex workers that morning — including Broom — and mostly all those sought by Ridges were heavy-set black women or men who were trangendered females.
Broom and Ridges spoke on the phone several times that morning including a Facetime conversation, police said, with the last call made at 10 a.m.. Footage from surveillance video showed Broom entering the Riverstone Apartments at that time, police said.
The department’s Tactical Crime Suppression Unit, along with the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violence Task Force, tracked Ridges to the MGM Casino in Detroit where he was arrested.
According to police, during interviews with detectives Ridges admitted several times that he had acted alone and tried to explain what led to the shooting — and claimed that he didn’t know Broom was transgendered.
Broom had multiple sexual advertisements, police said.
A search of Ridges’ home turned up a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun from his bedroom, and tests revealed it was the same weapon used to kill Broom, police said. The handgun was reported stolen out of Georgia in July 2023.
Ridges was arraigned Wednesday in 46th District Court on the second-degree homicide charge as well as weapons-related crimes. Bond was denied.
Ridges’ next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 12.
A 22-year-old Waterford Township man accused of multiple sex crimes against young boys will face an Oakland County Circuit judge next week when he’s arraigned on 16 felony charges.
Three cases against Logan Sutherland were bound over to the higher court after he waived his right to preliminary exams Thursday in 52-1 District Court and a couple weeks ago in 51st District Court — jurisdictions where it’s alleged the crimes occurred in the past few years.
Arraignment before Judge Martha Anderson is scheduled for Feb. 13.
The alleged victims include preteens and young teenagers.
Logan Sutherland booking photo
Sutherland, held in the Oakland County Jail since his arrest last summer, is charged with:
• First-degree criminal sexual conduct
• Seven counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct
• Two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct
• Four counts of possession of child sexually abusive material-aggravated
• Two counts of child abusive commercial activity
Police arrested Sutherland in late August last year at his Waterford home after detectives investigated a criminal sexual conduct complaint there. Other alleged victims subsequently came forward, police said, for alleged assaults at Sutherland’s home as well as ZapZone, Sportway and SkyZone in Commerce Township. Sutherland had reportedly befriended parents of young boys to gain their trust and then have time alone with the children, police said.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office alleges Sutherland also used his position as a trusted adult to sexually assault and take explicit photos of young boys.
If convicted of first-degree CSC, Sutherland could face up to life in prison. Possession of child sexually abusive activity is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Second-degree CSC is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, and aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Fourth-degree CSC is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $500.
Trial is scheduled for May for a Troy man charged in a child pornography case.
Kyle Robert Breitinger, 37, faces six counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material. The crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000.
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, the case against Breitinger unfolded after Michigan State Police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It’s alleged that a phone number associated with “numerous explicit and graphic photos and videos of underage children” belongs to Breitinger, the prosecutor’s office said.
The case against Breitinger was bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court last November after he waived his right to a preliminary exam in district court.
Breitinger was released from custody following his arrest last September after posting $5,000 — 10% of a $50,000 bond. His case is assigned to Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews.
The Wayne County official and her husband facing felony charges in connection with a fight at a Farmington Hills gas station are scheduled to return to court next week.
A Feb. 5 pre-exam conference before 47th District Judge James Brady is set for Alicia Bradford, 55, and Larry Bradford, 72, both Farmington Hills residents, who face charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Alicia Bradford is Wayne County’s director of parks and recreation, and, following the incident, was reportedly suspended from her job where she’s paid $146,000 annually.
Alicia Bradford (Wayne County)
According to police reports and security video obtained under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, the charges stem from an incident that happened just before 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day at a gas station on Orchard Lake Road.
As seen on security video from inside the business, Larry Bradford appears to get into a fight with another man, knocking down racks of merchandise in the process.
According to police, the other man was a customer standing behind Larry Bradford when Bradford began arguing with the store clerk, accusing him of charging tax on a bottle of Mountain Dew. “Bradford was charged a 10 cent bottle deposit and accused (the clerk) of charging him tax,” the police report states. The other man got involved in the argument and told Bradford to leave the gas station, which sparked the fight, the report states.
The report further states that after the tussle, Larry Bradford left the store and returned with a 9mm handgun which he pointed at the customer, demanding he get on his knees and apologize. Larry Bradford struck the man and ordered him to find a ring he lost during the fight; Alicia Bradford then entered the store, armed with a firearm and asked if someone tried to rob her husband. Larry Bradford repeatedly said “no” and told her the fight was over the price of the pop, the report states.
Police called to the scene subsequently arrested the Bradfords.
Assault with a dangerous weapon carries a penalty of up to four years in prison. Using a firearm in the commission of a felony is punishable by up to two years incarceration.
The Bradfords are out of custody, each on $50,000 personal bonds — which require no cash or surety to be posted.
In this still frame from surveillance video, Wayne County parks director Alicia Bradford points a handgun at an unidentified customer (far right, face digitally obstructed) after the man and Bradford's husband, Larry Bradford, got into a verbal and physical confrontation on Jan.1 over the price of a bottle of pop. (Farmington Hills Police Dept. via FOIA)
Multiple vehicles had items stolen from them during the same stretch of time last week in Troy, including four on the same block, police said.
Four larcenies from auto in the 2700 block of Dashwood Street reportedly happened sometime between 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 10:40 a.m. on Jan. 16, police said.
One victim said the unlocked vehicle was entered and shopping bags containing clothing were stolen. Another victim reported a window on the vehicle was broken out and the thief took a purse containing $300, credit cards and personal papers. Another reported a window was broken out and four pairs of shoes, two shirts and a blanket were stolen, and the other victim reported a window was broken out and a bag was stolen, police said.
So far, no suspects — according to Troy Police Lt. Ben Hancock.
Another larceny reportedly occurred sometime between 4 p.m. on Jan. 15 and 6:40 a.m. on Jan. 16 in the 2600 block of Lovington Drive, police said. In that incident, the victim reported a backpack containing a Chromebook laptop was stolen from the vehicle, police said.
Hancock reminds residents to not leave any valuables in vehicles overnight.
“Items left in plain sight overnight inside your vehicle increases your chance of being a victim of a larceny from your vehicle,” Hancock said. “Everyone should also double check their car is locked if parked in their driveway or the street as we are seeing a lot of vehicles are left unlocked.”
A 61-year-old Redford man is facing 10 felony charges for alleged human trafficking and related crimes involving women from Oakland and Macomb counties.
Damon Keith Napier, held in the Oakland County Jail, is charged with:
• Two counts each of human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury, transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution, and accepting earnings from prostitution
• Three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct
• One count of pandering.
The alleged victims are 31-year-old women — one from Southfield and the other from Warren.
Damon Napier booking photo
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said Napier’s arrest is the first arrest for the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force, calling it “the maiden voyage of success.”
Bouchard, speaking at a news conference Thursday afternoon, declined to give details on Napier’s case, but said “the information came from bread crumbs from other stuff” and had been under investigation for quite some time.
“Obviously, it was a horrendous position these ladies were in,” Bouchard said. “We’re super glad to be holding (Napier) accountable for that behavior.”
Bouchard, along with David Williams, chief assistant prosecutor at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, said it’s believed there are more victims that can be connected to Napier. They urge anyone else who may have been victimized by Napier, or knows someone who has been, to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office or their local police department.
“We understand the fear of coming forward,” Bouchard said. “Know we’re your advocates (and Napier) is behind bars. “
Napier has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for kidnapping, illegal drugs and more in California, Bouchard said. His current cases are being adjudicated in Southfield’s 46th District Court and Hazel Park’s 43rd District Court. Bond is set at $500,000 in both cases.
Napier’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 28.
Sheriff Mike Bouchard addresses media at the Thursday afternoon news conference. Also pictured is Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams and Human Trafficking lead CIndy Brown.(screenshot from livestream)
Preliminary examinations are scheduled for two Pontiac teenage brothers who allegedly shot a man last month in an attempt to kill him.
Kentrell Norton, 18, and Terrell Norton, 19, are each charged with 11 crimes: multiple counts of assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, as well as discharging a firearm in a building causing injury and carrying a concealed weapon. At their preliminary exams, scheduled for March 7 in 50th District Court, Judge Jeremy Bowie will be presented with evidence and then determine if probable cause was established to advance the cases to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened in the 700 block of Auburn Avenue in Pontiac on Dec. 12, 2024. The victim, a 29-year-old Pontiac man, suffered a bullet wound to his side.
“Detectives found a large crime scene in the parking lot of an apartment complex with multiple shell casings, multiple struck vehicles and multiple struck apartments,” the sheriff’s office stated in a news release.
Terrell Norton was arrested Jan. 9 at a home on South Sanford Street in Pontiac. Kentrell Norton was arrested Jan. 10 after a brief foot chase by members of the sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Team in an Orion Township mobile home park, the sheriff’s office said.
After Kentrell Norton’s arrest, detectives executed a search warrant and discovered a Polymer 80 handgun with no serial number believed to have been used in the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.
Ammunition and clothing believed to have been worn during the shooting were found in the Sanford Street residence, the sheriff’s office said.
The Norton brothers are held in the Oakland County Jail. Bond is denied for Kentrell Norton; Terrell Norton’s bond is $250,000.
A Detroiter is facing charges of rape, strangulation, child abuse and more for an alleged attack of a woman and her kids at a Royal Oak Township motel.
He reportedly bit off part of the woman’s ear in the attack, officials said.
Jacob Macklis booking photo
Jacob Macklis, 23, is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to main, assault by strangulation, felonious assault, two counts of third-degree child abuse and domestic violence for an incident last week at the American Inn and Suites in Royal Oak Township.
“The level of violence in this case is shocking,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. “My heart goes out to this woman and her children for what they had to endure. My office will pursue the maximum charges against this defendant because his victims deserve justice.”
According to the prosecutor’s office, Michigan State Police troopers responded to the motel on Jan. 18 on reports of a woman and children screaming for help. When they arrived, they reportedly saw Macklis holding a 35-year-old woman by her hair and then punching her in the face, the prosecutor’s office said.
Macklis is also accused of sexually assaulting the woman and physically assaulting her two minor children.
The domestic violence charge asserts the woman “is a resident or former resident” of Macklis’ household and/or had a dating relationship with him.
Macklis, booked into the Oakland County Jail on Jan. 18, faces up to life in prison if convicted of the CSC charge and up to 10 years for the assault charges. Third-degree child abuse is punishable by up to two years in prison, and the domestic violence charge is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail.
The preliminary exam for a felon accused of killing an Oxford Township woman who had stopped to help him after a car crash on Christmas Eve has been postponed from its January date to March.
Malik Webb, 29, is charged with felony murder for the slaying of clinical psychologist Barbara Wolf, and 18 other crimes including carjacking, assault with intent to murder and multiple firearms offenses for the Dec. 24 incident on Ray Road near Oxford High School.
Webb allegedly shot Wolf multiple times and two others — Wolf’s daughter and a 56-year-old Oxford man who had also stopped to assist Webb following the crash. Wolf died at an area hospital.
Webb has a lengthy criminal history and was released from prison last July 1 after serving nearly six years for various weapons-related offenses. Had he served his maximum sentence of 7 years and six months — with jail credit of 62 days — he’d still be in prison.
Webb’s preliminary exam was pushed out two months during a court hearing Tuesday. At the preliminary exam, now scheduled for March 28 in 52-3 District Court, Judge Nancy Carniak will hear evidence then decide if probable cause is established to advance the case to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial.
Wolf, according to her obituary, was the married mother of three and grandmother of five.
Barbara Wolf (photo courtesy of MSU)
The obituary states, in part: “Dr. Wolf served as the Corporate Director of Behavioral Health Education and Physician Wellness in the Division of Academic Medicine at McLaren Health Care. She was also an Associate Professor for Michigan State College of Human and Osteopathic Medicine in the Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry. ”
The obituary further states: “Barbara’s life was a testament to her unwavering dedication to her family, her profession, and the countless lives she touched with her expertise and compassion. Even though she is gone, she lives on within each of us.”
A felon on parole for an armed robbery conviction is accused of taking thousands of stolen dollars from an acquaintance and then shooting him, officials said.
The felon, Jamarieai Burns, 30, of Pontiac, faces charges of assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and three counts of felony firearm. The acquaintance who was shot and allegedly robbed, Arthur Crayton, 25, of Pontiac, is charged with larceny of a building.
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, it all unfolded on Jan. 10 when Crayton allegedly robbed a co-worker of $12,000 in Pontiac, then contacted Burns for a ride. Burns showed up, allegedly took approximately $4,000 of the stolen money from Crayton and then allegedly shot him in the hip.
“The victim will be prosecuted for his own alleged crimes, but those crimes don’t justify what happened to him,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald stated in a news release. “Jamarieai Burns is a repeat offender. We intend to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. Every victim in this case is entitled to justice.”
Assault with intent to murder is punishable by up to life in prison. Larceny in a building carries a penalty of up to four years in prison.
The Oakland County Jail roster lists Burns as in custody as of Jan. 12. Crayton was booked into the jail on Jan. 11 and released three days later.
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