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	Man Charged in Girl's Sex Abuse Suspect, a Retired Autoworker and Onetime Elder at Church, Accused of Molesting Young Relative By Amalie Nash Ann Arbor News [Michigan] May 24, 2006 http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1148481772188470.xml&coll=2 A former elder at Community of Christ church in Ann Arbor was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he molested a young female relative for four years in his Ypsilanti Township home. The nine felony charges against Russell Wilson, 68, accuse him of the repeated sexual abuse of a relative from the time she was 7 years old until she was 11. The girl is now 15 and lives in Superior Township. Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. Dave Egeler said Wilson, who was involved with the church for more than 20 years, molested the girl in his home on Desoto Avenue. It was unclear what caused the abuse to end four years ago, Egeler said. Wilson, a retired autoworker, was charged with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of assault with intent to commit penetration. "We're investigating whether it's possible that there are other victims," Egeler said. Wilson's attorney, Michael Vincent of Ypsilanti, said his client stood mute to the charges, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. "These are very serious charges, and I have a substantial police report to read through to see what these charges are about," Vincent said. Pastor Rick MacGregor of Community of Christ referred questions to the Community of Christ Southern Great Lakes International Mission in Lansing. Debora Crowley, the mission center president there, declined to discuss Wilson's current or former role with the church but said procedures are in place at the church to protect children, and the appropriate processes have been initiated. "Community of Christ is saddened to learn of the alleged inappropriate behavior by one of its members," Crowley said. Wilson's relatives did not speak to the media after the arraignment. Egeler said he believed Wilson resigned from his post with the church, on West Jefferson Street in Ann Arbor, amid the investigation, but church officials would not confirm that. On the church Web site, Wilson is listed as an elder. No information was available Tuesday on how the allegations were reported to police this year. Wilson turned himself over to police Monday and remains jailed on $250,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 31. The charges are punishable by up to life in prison. Amalie Nash can be reached at anash@annarbornews.com or 734-994-6832.
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