The boyfriend of London Thomas, the Detroit teen who was found dead weeks after she was reported missing, has bonded out of jail after being charged in a separate case.
Jalen Pendergrass, 23, was re-arrested by U.S. Marshals for allegedly filing a false police report in 2024.
He was initially taken into custody after the 17-year-old’s body was found in Southfield on April 26, but was re-arrested over the weekend in connection with the unrelated case.
He was arraigned on the charge of false report of a felony, which allegedly involves the Novi Police Department.
During that arraignment, a Novi police sergeant asked the judge for a high bond and GPS tether because of other pending cases, including the teen’s disappearance and a felony weapons case.
He was given a $25,000 bond, and as of May 5, 2025, he posted bond and was released from the Oakland County Jail, according to the jail’s website.
“My client hasn’t been charged in any of those, and I think anything other than what he’s charged with to hold him on those things, I think, is a violation of his constitutional rights,” Pendergrass’ attorney, Terry Johnson, told Local 4.
London Thomas was reported missing after she disappeared on April 5 in Inkster. Police said Thomas was dropped off at her boyfriend’s house on Carlysle Street the day she went missing.
The search lasted weeks and included the FBI going through Thomas’ ex-boyfriend’s house.
The ex-boyfriend’s mother, Charla Pendergrass, 48, of Clawson, was charged Friday with lying to a peace officer in connection with the investigation into Thomas’ death.
Charla Pendergrass was issued a $50,000 bond and must wear a GPS tether if released. She is expected to appear in court again on May 7 for a probable cause conference.
When Thomas’ body was found, Michigan State Police didn’t reveal any of the circumstances surrounding her death, but had arrested the ex-boyfriend and his mother as they were “believed to be involved in her disappearance.” Neither has been charged in connection with Thomas’ death.
Anyone with information about this case should call the Detroit Police Department’s 8th Precinct at 313-596-5840 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak Up.