Police: Northville man bought Uber ride for young girl he met on Snapchat, ordered her to stay in basement

Northville Township man met 14-year-old on Snapchat, charges with sexual abuse

Charles Willis is facing multiple felony charges, including sexually abusive activity of a minor. Now police want to know if there are more victims.

NORTHVILLE, Mich. (FOX 2) - A Northville Township man is facing multiple felonies after police said the 22-year-old man met a young girl on Snapchat and then bought a 2-hour Uber ride so he could lure the young girl to his basement.

Charles Willis was arraigned on Wednesday on several felony charges, including kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.

What we know:

According to the Northville Township Police Department, Willis met a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat and, on Friday, April 25, he bought an Uber ride for the young girl.

"The victim and Mr. Willis had been communicating over the social media platform Snapchat, for possibly over a year or two," said Deputy Police Chief Matthew MacKenzie.

The girl lives two hours west of Northville and the Uber driver brought the teenager to his home, police said. Once at his home, police said he told the girl to stay in the basement.

"After a couple of days i think she got home sick and left in the early morning," Mackenzie said.

Charles Willis is charged with several felonies after police said he met a 14-year-girl on Snapchat and paid for a 2-hour Uber ride to bring her to his house.

On Sunday, police said the girl was found walking alone near Seven Mile and Sheldon roads. Once police learned her story, they executed a search warrant and arrested Willis at his home.

"Over the past weekend, we executed a search warrant at his residence on the 30th, recovered some evidence there, interviews to follow, and he was arraigned yesterday on multiple felony charges," MacKenzie said.

According to police, Willis had other prior contacts police agencies regarding inappropriate sexual behavior and attempts to entice minor girls.

Willis is being held on a $1 million cash bond, no 10%, and police are searching any other potential victims.

Willis was charged with kidnapping, enticing a female under 16 for immoral purposes, child sexually abusive activity and criminal sexual conduct – first degree.

Neighbors who live in the area would not speak on the record, but were sad to learn about this case. They said they were not surprised because police has been at the home a number of times in the past.

Police say when Willis was a minor he had contact with police, but more recently he has had contact with other agencies.

"He was arrested in a Metro Detroit area for this type of activity criminal sexual conduct case is ongoing," MacKenzie said. "Parents know where your kids are and know who they are communicating with."  

Anyone who believes they or their child may have been in contact with Willis is urged to call the Northville Township Police Detective Bureau immediately at (248) 349-9400.