FLINT, Michigan, USA (WXYZ) - He was charged with protecting the streets of Flint, Michigan, but prosecutors say, former police sergeant Lawrence Bonett Woods, was doing anything but.
"This man wreaked havoc on a number of people," said David Leyton, Genesee County Prosecutor.
Woods is charged with 16 counts of criminal sexual conduct.
Five victims have come forward with tales of abuse, and in raids, investigators found time-stamped Polaroid images of those he is believed to have abused.
The investigation began with two reported assaults happening between 1996 and 2000.
The victims were two young teen girls.
"He had a relationship with the mother and unfortunately this developed because of that relationship," adds Leyton.
And where officials say the two were reportedly abused, is shocking.
"They were in the patrol car---in the police station," he says. "He was at their home---they were at his home."
Due to Woods' position of power, the girls, sources say, were reluctant to come forward until now.
Since charges were announced, "Three more victims have come forward," says Leyton.
The prosecutor says there may be more because the alleged crimes took place years ago. It's believed the victims could be all over the place, not just in Flint.
Even if the abuse happened beyond the statute of limitations, one could still testify against the accused. Prosecutors want to hear from everyone.
Meanwhile, the case has rocked the Flint Police Department.
"At first you hope that the allegations aren't true," says Sgt. Karl Petrich.
Officers there saying regardless of this man's former status as one of the city's lawmen, "You have to make sure you do everything right and every stone is unturned," says Petrich. "You want to make sure that the victims get the justice they deserve."
If one believes they were a victim of Woods, they are asked to call Flint police.
Woods' attorney did not respond to our request for comment by deadline.
"This man wreaked havoc on a number of people," said David Leyton, Genesee County Prosecutor.
Woods is charged with 16 counts of criminal sexual conduct.
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| Sgt L.B. Woods retired |
Five victims have come forward with tales of abuse, and in raids, investigators found time-stamped Polaroid images of those he is believed to have abused.
The investigation began with two reported assaults happening between 1996 and 2000.
The victims were two young teen girls.
"He had a relationship with the mother and unfortunately this developed because of that relationship," adds Leyton.
And where officials say the two were reportedly abused, is shocking.
"They were in the patrol car---in the police station," he says. "He was at their home---they were at his home."
Due to Woods' position of power, the girls, sources say, were reluctant to come forward until now.
Since charges were announced, "Three more victims have come forward," says Leyton.
The prosecutor says there may be more because the alleged crimes took place years ago. It's believed the victims could be all over the place, not just in Flint.
Even if the abuse happened beyond the statute of limitations, one could still testify against the accused. Prosecutors want to hear from everyone.
Meanwhile, the case has rocked the Flint Police Department.
"At first you hope that the allegations aren't true," says Sgt. Karl Petrich.
Officers there saying regardless of this man's former status as one of the city's lawmen, "You have to make sure you do everything right and every stone is unturned," says Petrich. "You want to make sure that the victims get the justice they deserve."
If one believes they were a victim of Woods, they are asked to call Flint police.
Woods' attorney did not respond to our request for comment by deadline.
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