Berkley man accused of preying on teens faces additional charges

BERKLEY — A Berkley man who had charges in multiple cities for sexual assault now faces more charges in Berkley.

The Berkley Public Safety Department announced April 4 that Darren Bradford will face seven additional charges for criminal sexual conduct crimes he allegedly committed in the city.

Bradford, 24, initially was charged Feb. 21 with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. On April 4, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office added six new counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

After Bradford’s initial charge, Berkley Detective Lt. Andrew Hadfield stated that several more people contacted the Public Safety Department in regard to the case. The seven charges are spread across three new victims who came forward, Hadfield said, bringing Bradford’s total in Berkley to eight counts involving four teens who are minors.

“They're all pretty much similar circumstances where there was either a promise or hinting towards providing alcohol or marijuana or tobacco vape products to minors, and then when those incidents would occur, that there was a sexual assault that would occur in conjunction with that sale or transfer of items,” he said. “Either that was done beforehand or after the incident, but they were all pretty closely tied together when he would meet up with them in regards to those products that he was trying to offer.”

Hadfield said other victims also have come forward in Bloomfield Township and Grosse Pointe Park, where Bradford has been charged with three counts and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, respectively. The charges state in all three cities that they involve people within the age bracket of 13-15.

“At this time, we haven’t had anybody else come forward,” Hadfield said. “We’ve talked to anybody that has come forward and have reviewed their cases, but there’s nobody pending at this time. But obviously, if somebody else needs to come forward, we're looking at that incident as well.”

Bradford has remained in custody in Wayne County after he was arraigned on his charges in Grosse Pointe Park on Feb. 28. His Berkley bond has been amended to $250,000, up from $175,000. His next court date is scheduled for April 11.

The Berkley Public Safety Department stated it has submitted additional potential charges for review to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for distributing marijuana vapes and cartridges, alcohol and nicotine vape products to “numerous different minors from the area and surrounding metro communities.”

Police also asked that if anyone has yet to come forward or has information in regard to this case, to contact the Berkley Public Safety Department at (248) 658-3390.

Bradford’s attorney, Vincent Toussaint, declined to comment on the case at this time.