11 Defendants Charged in 10 New DPS Cases

DETROIT - In 2009, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy, then Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb and the DPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) headed by John Bell, began a collaboration to prosecute crime in the Detroit Public School System. To date there have been over 40 criminal referrals to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity Unit from OIG and the DPS Police. The commitment to pursue crime, ensure the integrity of DPS and to protect students has continued under Emergency Financial Manager Roy S. Roberts and Inspector General Wilbert Van Marsh. The 10 new cases announced today are prosecutions of former DPS employees who have committed crimes in the school system as well as civilians who have stolen property intended for use by students to enhance their academic success.

"Our focus will never veer from improving the academics and stabilizing the finances of this school district,” said Mr. Roberts. “Should anyone mistakenly take that as an opportunity to steal from our classrooms, the ongoing efforts to investigate cases and Prosecutor Worthy's attention to bringing charges should serve as a clear reinforcement that such will never be tolerated."

"These cases are clear examples of law enforcement results achieved through joint investigations and Wayne County's willingness to prosecute evidence of theft and criminal conduct in our schools", said DPS Inspector General Van Marsh.

“The cases that we have charged represent a great deal of work by my office, DPS and the Office of the Inspector General,” said Prosecutor Worthy. “When people commit crime and violate the trust of the school system, they are taking from our children. We will not allow criminals take away the future of DPS students.”


Defendant Toni Ausberry – Mumford High School – OIG Investigation

Toni Ausberry, 29, of Detroit, was an employee of the Detroit Public Schools assigned to the Mumford High School cafeteria, located at 17525 Wyoming. DPS received an anonymous call informing them that Ms. Ausberry was stealing money from the cafeteria.

It is alleged that on multiple occasions between February and March 2011, the defendant removed U.S. Currency from the cash drawer and placed the money in her clothing. She is charged with Larceny over $1000 but less than $20,000, Embezzlement over $1000 but under $20,000 and Larceny in a Building.

Ausberry is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at 36th District Court.


Defendant Dorian Alrich Blair, Jr. – Loving School

On September 11, 2011 at 5:30 a.m., DPS security officers were called to Loving School, located at 1000 Lynn on an alarm run. When they arrived at the school, the officers discovered that the receiving door had been damaged and the grate was cut. The officers inspected the school and discovered Dorian Blair, 19, of Detroit, in the main office. He was arrested and a black bag with bolt cutters, a crow bar, a cut chain and lock were confiscated. He has been charged with Breaking and Entering, Possession of Burglar’s Tools and Larceny in a Building.

Blair was arraigned on September 13, 2011 and received a $10,000.00/10% bond. He will have a pre-examination hearing on September 20, 2011.


Defendant Dwight Alvin Brown – Ludington School – OIG Investigation

On July 25, 2011, Ms. Alora Maxwell, Principal of Ludington School, located at 19355 Edinborough, reported the theft of Apple Macbook laptop computers, valued at $1,200.00 a piece. Ms. Maxwell provided DPS investigators serial numbers of the stolen computers. The computers were equipped with tracking software.

As a result of an investigation conducted by the OIG, nine computers were recovered, valued at over $12,600.00. Dwight Alvin Brown, 31, of Detroit, was identified as the individual allegedly responsible for their sale and distribution.

Brown is charged with Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property over $1,000.00 but under $20,000.00. The authorities are looking for Brown. If you have information that would assist in his apprehension, please call the Detroit Public Schools Police at (313) 748-6000.
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Defendant Marque Mency – Bagley Elementary School

On September 10, 2011, at 4:20 p.m. at Bagley School, located at 8100 Curtis, DPS officers responded to a breaking and entering alarm. It is alleged that an officer observed Marque Mency, 23, of Detroit, tossing a laundry bag from a school window. A video projector, 12 laptop computers and a pry bar were confiscated by police at the scene of the crime.

Mency has been charged with Breaking and Entering, Possession of Burglar’s Tools and Larceny in a Building. He was arraigned on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 and is being held on $10,000.00/10% bond. Mency has a pre-examination hearing on September 20, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.


Defendant Anthony Mosby – Clippert Elementary/Middle School – OIG Investigation

Anthony Mosby, 47, of Oak Park, a former DPS teacher at Clippert Elementary School, located at 1981 McKinstry, is alleged to have failed to disclose to DPS that he was charged and convicted of a felony, OUIL- 3rd Offense, in the 6th Circuit Court. Mosby pled guilty on August 25, 2009. This is a violation of MCL 380.123d(3)(a), which is a two year offense and /or $2000 fine.

Mosby is charged with Failure of a School Employee to Report a Felony Conviction. He is expected to have a video arraignment Thursday, September 15, 2011 in 36th District Court at 1:30 p.m.


Defendant Charmain Porter – Cass Tech High School – OIG Investigation

Charmain Porter, 55, of Detroit, began her employment with DPS in 1984. She was assigned as a Cashier Helper at Cass Tech High School, located at 2501 Second Avenue, since September 7, 2009. The Office of Inspector General received information from an anonymous source that alleged Ms. Porter was stealing from the food sales. An investigation revealed acts of embezzlement/theft by Ms. Porter. In May 2011, it is alleged that Porter transferred DPS funds to her apron on several occasions. She was terminated shortly thereafter.

Porter is charged with Embezzlement of over $50 by a Public Official; Embezzlement over $1000 but less than $20,000 by an agent; Larceny over $1000 but less than $20,000 and Larceny in a Building.

Porter is expected to be arraigned on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at 36th District Court.


Defendant Lester Sanford – Detroit City High School – OIG Investigation

On December 2, 2008, Ms. Donna James, Principal, Detroit City High School, located at 13141 Rosa Parks, reported the theft of Dell laptops. They were worth approximately $ 17,500. The case was initially investigated by the FBI and OIG.

An investigation established Lester Sanford, 63, of Detroit, as the person responsible for the sale of the stolen Dell laptops. The computers contained a tracking device which led to the recovery of 14 stolen Dell laptops.

Sanford was charged with Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property over $1000 but under $20,000. He was arraigned on September 9, 2011, in 36th District Court and received a $10,000 personal bond; his preliminary examination date is September 21, 2011.


Defendant Demarco S. Wilson - Wayne Elementary

On June 16, 2011, at 9:30 p.m., DPS officers responded to Wayne Elementary School, located at 10633 Courville. The first floor computer room window was open and the room was ransacked. The computer cart had been forced open and five Asus netbooks and two Dell laptop computers were missing. According to Principal Pam Askew, the seven computers were valued at approximately $1,000.00 each.

Investigation into the case and a review of a surveillance tape identified Demarco Wilson, 18, of Detroit as the suspect.

Wilson is charged with Breaking and Entering, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property $1,000.00 to $20,000.00 and Larceny in a Building. The authorities are looking for Wilson. If you have information that would assist in his apprehension, please call the Detroit Public Schools Police at (313) 748-6000.


Defendants Demonte G. Wilson and Demarco S. Wilson– Mason Elementary School

On June 6, 2011, at approximately 2:00 p.m., DPS police responded to an alarm at Mason

Elementary School, located at 19635 Mitchell in Detroit. Principal Omega Mostyn reported that unauthorized persons entered a classroom and stole 21 Apple laptop computers. The investigation revealed that there were four males on a surveillance tape who had gained entry to a classroom containing the laptops. As a result, DemonteThomas Gee Wilson, 19, and Demarco Santas Wilson, 18, both of Detroit, have been charged with Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property $20,000.00 or more, Entering without Breaking with Intent, and Larceny in a Building.


Defendants Christian O. Williams, Demonte G. Wilson, Demarco S. Wilson and Thomas Fent-James Williams – Mason Elementary School

On June 27, 2011 at approximately 9:30 p.m., DPS police responded to an alarm at Mason Elementary School, located at 19635 Mitchell in Detroit with the information that four males in white tee shirts were taking computers. The investigation revealed that the first floor window of the school was open and a computer storage cart had been forced open. Principal Omega Mostyn reported that 12 Apple Macbooks, valued at approximately $1,000.00 each, had been taken from
the school. A surveillance video captured the crime and was used to identify the four males.

Christian Odenigbo Williams, 19, Demonte Gee Wilson, 19, Demarco Santas Wilson, 18 and Thomas Fent-James Williams, 19, all of Detroit, have been charged with Breaking and Entering, Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property over $1,000.00 but less than $20,000.00 and Larceny in a Building.

The authorities are looking for Christian Odenigbo Williams, Demarco Wilson, Thomas G. Wilson and Thomas Fent-James Williams. If you have information that would assist in their apprehension, please call the Detroit Public Schools Police at (313) 748-6000.