A 52-year-old man from Addison Township is facing criminal sexual conduct charges after he allegedly sexually assaulted his nine-year-old granddaughter over a two-year period.
According to Sgt. Pete Burkett, commander of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Addison substation, Michael Wayne Yates had fled the state two days after he was confronted with the allegations by his daughter back in January or February.
The mother never reported the incident to authorities, according to Burkett. Child Protective Services was notified about the alleged assaults by Catholic Social Services after the girl revealed them during a counseling session.
In an interview with the granddaughter, who is now 11, the girl said her grandfather allegedly assaulted her numerous occasions when she spent the night at his home in the Hidden Lakes Mobile Home Park in Addison.
According to Burkett, members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Team located Yates at his mobile home in Gillette, Wyoming the last week of July. He was arrested by detectives in Gillette.
‘It just shows you our ability to work together as far as different states, divisions and departments throughout the country,? Burkett said. ‘The guys in Gillette, Wyoming were very helpful.?
Burkett said Yates is facing two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which is a life felony, and one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct, which is a 15-year felony.
Yates was arraigned in the Sixth Circuit Court in Pontiac on Sept. 30 and is being held on a $1 million bond in Oakland County Jail. His preliminary exam is set for Oct. 5 before Judge Nancy Carniak at the Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court.