Man charged with sexually assaulting 4th teen; lawyer says he's 'target of accusations'
Leonardo Christian
Courtesy of WCSO
The boy alleges Leonardo Devinci Christian, who is HIV positive, sexually assaulted him during June and July of this year, prosecutors said.
Christian was charged earlier this year with sexually assaulting three other boys and was arraigned on 13 criminal charges.
Christian was arraigned Thursday in front of Magistrate Thomas Truesdell on first-degree criminal sexual conduct on a person between 13 and 16 years old, third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration on a person between 13 and 16 years old, assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and sexual penetration by a person with AIDS/HIV on an uninformed partner.
Michael Vincent, Christian’s attorney, said he wasn’t surprised at the new charges but hadn’t had a chance to review the police report related to the new allegations.
“It’s easy to accuse somebody of something,” Vincent said. “This man has done untold amount of charity work for this city and cared about people who didn’t have enough to eat. It seems at this point he’s become a target of accusations.”
Christian has been held in the Washtenaw County Jail since he was charged in the initial case on Aug. 31. Truesdell raised Christian’s bond from $50,000 cash to $100,000 at his arraignment Thursday. He’s scheduled to return to court for a preliminary exam on the latest case at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at the 14A-1 District Court in Pittsfield Township.
Christian gave yes and no answers to Truesdell during his arraignment on Thursday. He was a well-respected member of the Ypsilanti community prior to criminal charges being brought against him, organizing annual holiday meals and regularly attending Ypsilanti City Council meetings.
One of the four known alleged victims, a 14-year-old boy, said Christian gave him and his family tickets to the annual holiday meals he organized at Korey’s Krispy Krunchy Chicken and Coops Charity Poker Room in Ypsilanti. After charges were brought against Christian in that case, two 15-year-old boys came forward and alleged Christian sexually assaulted them in 2006.
Christian’s trial in those cases is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 22, and court records show he has a final pretrial hearing for those cases at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in front of Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Donald Shelton.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
moonunit
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
First, he has only be accused of these terrible things. His day in court will come and hopefully the truth will be found and matters will proceed from there. There always seems to be more to the story than any of us know. If he is indeed found guilty, I can imagine nothing worse and he should be punished accordingly. It is all so sad. But one thing I do ask of annarbor,.com, Leonardo has given much to the community over the years, helping so many people so many times, couldn't you at least find a decent picture of him in your files and use that picture instead of this very sad picture which basically paints him as guilty. Remember, he is innocent until proven otherwise so don't add to the mob mentality here.
cruise king
Sat, Dec 8, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
Why should anyone look for a different picture of that man ? Like you said he is innocent until proven otherwise.
Margaret
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
I don't know, the mother of my 2 grandchildren got upset with my son, (her x) and called the police and told them that my son "threw her into a wall." It was an automatic arrest, even though there were text messages between the 2 that proved this never took place...on top of the fact that she said it took place at MY home on Easter day (I allowed her into my home on this day. Other than that she was not allowed even in my yard....big mistake on my part). It just makes you wonder. It may also be an automatic arrest & continue on down the legal process due to the fact that kids / young adults are involved in this. You just never know these days with our economy & now holidays causing people even more stress I'm not anxious to hear the news reports anywhere in Michigan. I usually don't watch the news on tv because it is too depressing. I just hope & pray that the truth be found in this case for everyone involved.
Billy
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
I'm going to guess there are FAR more than simple "accusations." Police do not arrest people on finger pointing alone. I read initially that they had searched his home, so I'm assuming they've found supporting evidence. Of course if all they really do have are accusations.....I wonder if they are aware of the McMartin trial from the 90s? They made a movie about it with James Woods.
justcurious
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
I'm glad you added the part about the McMartin trial. We also had one right here in our area concerning the North Sharon Church. Same result.
carolyn taylor
Fri, Dec 7, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.
yeah, Jerry Sandusky was a hero too