HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — A registered sex offender is being held without bond after police say he kidnapped a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint in Hamtramck and sexually assaulted her on Monday.
Donald James Joseph Arthur Fields, 48, faces multiple charges: two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping, one count of felonious assault, three counts of felony firearm and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
See the latest story in the video below:
He was arraigned in 31st District Court, where Judge Alexis Krot denied his bond and criticized him for lying about his criminal background.
"Despite me saying one minute before that he's a habitual offender, Mr. Fields has the audacity to say he has no criminal history," Krot said.
The kidnapping happened just after 7 a.m. near Edwin and Brombach streets in Hamtramck. The girl, a student at Frontier International Academy, was waiting for her school bus. Investigators said surveillance video shows Fields abducting the 16-year-old at gunpoint as she waited for a school bus near her home.
Hamtramck Police Department Chief Hussein Farhat said the two did not know each other.
Watch the press conference with officials after the arraignment in the video player below:
“Our young survivor in this case was simply walking in broad daylight when she was viciously attacked and sexually assaulted. Despite what she had just gone through, her quick thinking and mental toughness saved her life. We cannot reverse what happened to her, but we can work hard to bring justice to her, “ Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.
Another female student with the victim saw a male walk up to her, place something at her back and force her into the back of his van. It's alleged that the suspect also sexually assaulted the victim inside the van.
Police release video of the Hamtramck abduction:
The student the victim was with alerted a school bus driver, who called 911.
"Hi, I’m a school bus driver a girl just told me a girl was just snatched up by a man," the bus driver said.
Students at the school were able to help police track the victim's cellphone.
About 30 minutes after the abduction, police caught up with Fields and rescued the teenager at a Sunoco gas station on Detroit's east side.
Before police arrived, the victim was able to signal to the cashier that she was in danger.
The suspect asked for cigarettes and told the girl to pay for them.
"When he ask her to pay for the cigarettes, I stop and go there's something wrong. And she mouthed talked to me, like with no sound, 'help,'" store clerk Abdulrahman Abohatem said.
Watch below: Clerk says girl mouthed 'help' to him after alleged kidnapping in Hamtramck
Abohatem came out from behind the protective glass, confronted the man and ushered the girl to safety.
"I go out, I kick him out, I ask the girl go behind me," Abohatem said. "I feel good when you save somebody. Sixteen years old — she is child."
"I believe this could have went a lot worse than it did. We have every belief that this could have ended really badly if it wasn't for the two witnesses as well as the officers' ability to be there," Hamtramck Police Chief Hussein Farhat said.
Fields is a registered sex offender who previously spent time in prison for a home invasion and assault with intent to commit sexual contact.
"This is a man who picked up a child in broad daylight, kidnapped her sexually assaulted her at gunpoint," Wayne County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Grace Broughton said.
See bodycam and surveillance video of the arrest below
"It is my recommendation due to the severity of this case and the utter danger that Fields presented to Wayne County and the city of Hamtramck that he be held without bond," Detective Nycorta Mabry said.
Defense attorney Matthew Forrest noted his client's right to a fair legal process.
"While we recognize the seriousness of the charges here, Mr. Fields at this point is presumed to be innocent," Defense Attorney Matthew Forrest said.
The rescue and subsequent charges have brought relief to the community.
"I want to personally commend the victim herself for her incredible courage in seeking help. I also want to recognize the students who acted immediately to alert authorities. Our officers at the Hamtramck Police Department for their rapid response and the brave gas station clerk who quickly... and heroically acted to save her life. Their collective bravery represents the true spirit of Hamtramck," Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi said in a press conference following the arraignment.
Fields remains in the Wayne County Jail. If convicted as charged, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
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