Detroit police officer in charge of camp for troubled teens charged with sex crimes

DETROIT – A Detroit police officer who founded a boot camp program for troubled teens has been hit with sex crime charges.

Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper said Geoffrey Townsend, 43, is charged with four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct for incidents that happened in his Farmington Hills home between October 2010 and August 2012.

Cooper said the victim, who was born in 1997, met Townsend through Reality Check Detroit -- a nonprofit crime prevention program for youths between the age of 6 and 14.

According to the organization's website, the youths can enroll in a 12-week program for their education, social and behavioral development.

Cooper said Townsend's involvement with the organization was outside his employment as a police officer.

"We are all concerned that there may be additional victims out there and encourages anyone with information to please call the Farmington Hills Police Department at 248-871-2600," Cooper said.

Townsend was arraigned in Farmington Hills District Court. His bail was set at $25,000.

Read more Local News headlines:

• Bed bugs found at Taylor high school
• Lawsuit: Detroit EFM appointment violates Open Meetings Act
• Whitney Building redevelopment to be announced Thursday
• Sharpton in Detroit Thursday to join lawsuit against EFM
• Rev. Jesse Jackson calls for protest against Detroit EFM
• Gilbert to unveil plans for reinventing downtown Detroit
• Dental patients' info dumped on Detroit's east side
• Former Detroit police lieutenant faces perjury charge