Dads group helps catch suspect accused of sexually pursuing girl

STERLING HEIGHTS — A Sterling Heights man was recently arrested and arraigned for allegedly trying to meet with a 13-year-old girl in order to pursue sexual relations, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.

The county identified the suspect as Sinan Kalemaj, 25, from Sterling Heights. The suspect allegedly contacted someone he mistook to be a 13-year-old girl to arrange a meeting at a Harrison Township grocery store.

However, when the suspect went to the store on March 27, he ended up meeting two members of a Dads Against Predators group, which led to the suspect’s arrest, the county said.

Someone from Dads Against Predators reportedly pretended to be the girl online.

At a March 29 arraignment at 41-B District Court in Clinton Township before Magistrate Ryan Zemke, Kalemaj was charged with three counts of child sexually abusive activity, as well as three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. Each count is a 20-year felony, according to county prosecutors.

Kalemaj’s bond was set at $20,000 cash/surety, 10%, with the additional condition of being forbidden from computers if released. According to the MiCourt database, bond in the form of a 10% deposit of $2,000 was posted April 5.

In a statement, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido thanked the Macomb County Sheriff’s Department for apprehending the suspect.

“It’s great that our community looks out for one another and monitors neighborhoods and the internet to keep our citizens safe,” Lucido added.

Kalemaj’s listed attorney, Angelo Donofrio, said he had no comment at this time. Emails to Dads Against Predators seeking comment were not returned by press time.

Anyone who has more information about this case is encouraged to contact the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office by calling (586) 469-5350. Learn more about Dads Against Predators by visiting www.whoisdap.com.