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Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Lionel Jarvon Wells, 41, (DOB: 08/10/1979), of Detroit, in connection with the sexual assault of a then 17-year-old woman, also of Detroit. The sexual assault survivor, now 24, did not know the defendant. As of July 1, 2021, there have been 224 convictions by the WCPO Sexual Assault Kit Task Force.

On October 24, 2014, at approximately 10:15 p.m., on the eastside of Detroit, the victim was walking home from work when it is alleged that the then 35-year-old defendant started to follow her. It is further alleged that the defendant produced a handgun before robbing and sexually assaulting the victim. The investigation was conducted by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Sexual Assault Kit detectives. The Office of the Wayne County Executive's Violent Crime Reduction Initiative comprised of members of the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and the Detroit Police Department arrested the defendant on July 26, 2021. More complete facts will be place on the record in court at the preliminary examination.

Lionel Jarvon Wells has been charged with two counts of First-Degree Sexual Conduct, one count of Kidnapping, and one count of Armed Robbery. * He was arraigned today in 36th District Court and given a $350,000 cash/surety bond. He was also given a GPS tether and ordered to have no contact with the complaining witness. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for August 5, 2021 and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for August 12, 2021 in 36th District Court.

"August 14, 2021 will mark the 12-year anniversary that we have been doing this work. As of July 1, 2021, there have been 224 convictions. I am proud of the years of important work that we and all out collaborators have done in testing, investigating, and prosecuting Detroit's - and Michigan's - stockpiled sexual assault kits. We have consistently made sure that our approach has been victim centered, trauma informed, and offender focused. Our victim notification and investigative policies have enabled us to be successful," said Prosecutor Worthy.

"As a result of our work, Michigan has become a national model and there has been significant change in Michigan as well. Our work continues and it is important to acknowledge that none of this would have been possible without the support of the Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, the Wayne County Commission, the Michigan Women Forward, and the African American 490 Group who remain the core members of our public and private partnership."

Please call Wayne County Prosecutor's Office Detective Kelly Dupis if you have been a victim of the defendant at 313-967-1381.

Click here for a photograph of the defendant.


*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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