Western Michigan University police officer arrested in sex sting operation

KALAMAZOO, MI — A Western Michigan College police officer is amongst those that have been arrested in a intercourse sting operation carried out by sheriff’s deputies.

The officer who’s not employed by the college’s police division was one in all three males arrested, Kalamazoo County sheriff’s officers introduced Friday, April 15.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Workplace carried out a human trafficking investigation that resulted in arrests of people who find themselves accused of in search of intercourse from minors, Sheriff Richard Fuller mentioned on the press convention.

Abraham Martin Hohnke, the 49-year-old former police officer, of Portage, Aaron James Bower-Guimond, 27, of Mattawan, and Nathan Lee Ruzick, 26, of Mattawan, have been arraigned Friday on prices stemming from the sting operation.

The sheriff’s workplace mentioned prices from the sting are:

• Abraham Martin Hohnke, 49, of Portage, a former WMU Police Division officer who was employed on the time of the alleged offense, is charged with a rely of youngsters – accosting for immoral functions, a four-year felony, and one rely of computer systems – web – speaking with one other to commit crime, a 4-10 12 months felony.
• Aaron James Bower-Guimond, 27, of Mattawan, is charged with a rely of youngsters – accosting for immoral functions.
• Nathan Lee Ruzick, 26, of Mattawa, is charged with a rely of youngsters – accosting for immoral functions.

The incidents and arrests all occurred someday up to now week, over an eight-hour interval, Fuller mentioned. They have been all arraigned on the costs as of Friday afternoon, he mentioned.

“This can be a tragic state of affairs in our nation the place now we have severe crimes occurring,” Fuller mentioned. “Day by day, there are millions of individuals in search of juveniles to have intercourse with.

“In case you are, we’re going to actively search you,” Fuller added.

All three of the individuals had a web based dialog with somebody on-line posing as a minor youngster, Fuller mentioned. The chat turned to intercourse speak, and preparations have been made to satisfy at a motel, he mentioned.

The topics, after they arrived, met sheriff’s deputies as an alternative of a kid, Fuller mentioned.

A “strike crew” carried out the operation, he mentioned, and it may be referred to as a sting. Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Workplace personnel labored with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Workplace, which is understood for human trafficking stings, earlier than an operation was began right here, Fuller mentioned.

Hohnke was a present worker of WMU PD on the time of the alleged incident, Fuller mentioned. He was not working on the time of the arrest, Fuller mentioned.

WMU President Edward Montgomery issued an announcement Friday afternoon. No WMU scholar or some other member of the College neighborhood is concerned, Montgomery mentioned.

The previous officer was on the drive for 10 years, in response to the college.

As quickly as WMU police grew to become conscious of the officer’s arrest, he was suspended with out pay and, in accordance with provisions of the WMU Police Officers Collective Bargaining Settlement, given discover of intent to terminate pending evaluation, Montgomery mentioned.

His police powers and permission to be on campus have been additionally instantly revoked. The worker opted to resign this afternoon, efficient instantly, Montgomery mentioned.

“Whereas this incident didn’t happen on campus or in the middle of the worker’s duties, I share these developments for the sake of transparency and in step with how severely we take this matter. We’re totally cooperating with authorities to assist their investigation as wanted,” Montgomery mentioned.

“The habits alleged within the prices is abhorrent and fully counter to the College’s values. The WMU police division is a totally accredited sworn drive that’s dedicated to neighborhood policing and the security of our neighborhood. We’ll merely not tolerate habits that undermines the religion and confidence in our officers who dedicate themselves to our security each day,” Montgomery mentioned.

Learn extra:

Use this up to date map, itinerary to tour greater than 100 Lake Michigan lighthouses

Michigan State College COVID vaccine, booster mandate prolonged to summer season, fall semesters