NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – “I know a lot about him. He’s just not a very nice kid. I would say he’s a bad boy,” said a long-time neighbor of 22-year-old Charles Willis, known to a neighbor on Pickford street for decades as “Charlie.”
“There’s been three occasions where the Northville police have been here and not just one car, six,” the neighbor said. “Police with guns.”
Willis, of Northville Township, was charged with allegedly luring a girl to his home using Snapchat and buying a two-hour Uber ride.
Detectives learned that Willis contacted the 14-year-old girl on Snapchat on April 25, 2025, but had been communicating with her “for a while.”
He reportedly arranged and paid for an Uber to bring the girl to his home. Authorities said she lives two hours away in Barry County.
“This is an adult who contacted a minor teenager and managed to convince her to do some terrible things,” said Lieutenant Pat Rienke with the Northville Township Police Department.
Police said Willis instructed the young teen to hide out in the basement of his home.
Willis, according to police, then sexually assaulted the teen and isolated her for two days.
Then, on April 27, around 5:30 a.m., the girl was found walking alone in the area of 7 Mile and Sheldon roads with a blanket wrapped around her.
“Not really knowing anyone in the area, not having any support, not being able to reach out and call for help or have the ability to reach out to someone and say, ‘I need some help right now,’ I’d imagine it’s very terrifying,” said Lt. Reinke.
According to investigators, Willis had prior contact with other law enforcement agencies related to sexually inappropriate behavior and alleged attempts to entice young girls.
Roseville Police confirm to Local 4 that Willis was charged just five months ago with felony sexual assault involving a minor in their city.
According to Roseville police, Willis allegedly met a girl between the ages of 13 and 16 and again, maintained a relationship through Snapchat.
But police said a visiting judge gave Willis a $5,000 personal bond back in January of 2025.
Many are worried there may be more victims out there.
“Our detectives are, again, still working this case, still investigating — trying to determine if there’s any other victims,” said Lt. Reinke. “The public’s help is tremendously helpful, and being able to help that cause.”
Willis faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping, enticing a girl under 16 for immoral purposes, child sexual abuse activity, and criminal sexual conduct.
His bond was set at $1 million, and he is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail. While he is due back in court on May 9 in Northville, an emergency hearing will address his bond on May 5 for his alleged crimes out of Roseville.
Anyone who believes they or their child may have been in contact with Willis, or may be a victim, is asked to contact the Northville Township Police Detective Bureau at (248) 349-9400.