Man charged for sexual assaults that took place 2014-17

FERNDALE — A 36-year-old Walled Lake man was arrested last month and charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct dating back nearly 10 years.

Brandon Smith was arrested by Ferndale police Oct. 21 on multiple charges of criminal sexual conduct that occurred in the city years prior.

According to Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi, a 19-year-old Ferndale man reported to police Sept. 27 that he was a victim of sexual assault, allegedly by Smith. The victim was anywhere between the ages of 11 and 14 years old, and the crimes took place between 2014 and 2017, Emmi said.

“The victim came forward to report it,” Emmi said. “The victim and the suspect (Smith) were acquaintances or friends. I’m not sure what sparked him to come forward. … Trauma’s a funny thing, and you don’t know what’s going to trigger you to recognize it and to come forward.”

Smith has been charged with five counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under 13 and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct-relationship.

Emmi said the separation of counts is because part of the relationship between the Ferndale man and Smith occurred when the Ferndale man was younger than 13 and the other part older than 13.

After receiving the report, Ferndale detectives conducted an investigation and submitted their findings to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, said Emmi. The chief couldn’t comment on the specifics of the investigation.

In discussing the case, Emmi said a big reason he wanted to talk about it was because there might be more victims involved, as Smith owned a gaming store in Novi called Nygn Games.

“Children were often frequenting this gaming store,” he said.

“He clearly, in my opinion, displayed predator-type characteristics by, one, targeting this group and then owning a business that catered to this type of population. So that was alarming to us, and we’re worried that there may be more victims out there,” Emmi said.

However, no cases of criminal sexual conduct or any other complaints against Smith at his store have been reported, according to Novi Police Cmdr. Jason Meier. Meier said that Novi police have been in touch with Ferndale police. According to Meier, Ferndale police said that they had no indication that anything had happened in Novi as of Nov. 7. 

“We have nothing reported and (Smith) hasn’t said anything about doing anything at the store,” Meier said. “Anything is possible. We could certainly get a complaint down the road if someone comes out of the woodwork and discloses, but as of today, we’ve got nothing.” 

Ferndale police are asking anyone who has information related to the case or suspect to contact the department at (248) 541-3650.

Smith was arraigned Oct. 21 on the charges in the 43rd District Court. He was given a $700,000 cash or surety bond, and his next court date is a probable cause conference scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21.

His attorney, Ray Correll, could not be reached for comment before press time.