MySpace sex case prompts Internet parental warning:
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Macomb County’s top cop warned parents Tuesday about the potential dangers their children face on the Internet after a 22-year-old man was charged with having sex with an underage girl he met on the popular MySpace.com Web site.
His comments come a day after Peter Kennedy, 22, of West Bloomfield was charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl in Shelby Township.
Police are not disclosing the girl’s identity because of her age.
“He apparently had contacted the girl days before through MySpace.com,” said Sgt. Stan Muscynski of the Shelby Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau.
Kennedy was arraigned Monday before Magistrate Michael Osaer in the 41-A District Court in Shelby Township on a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. Kennedy faces up to life in prison for the charge.
Osaer set bond at $250,000 bond. Kennedy remained in police custody Tuesday at the Macomb County Jail.
Kennedy’s attorney, Bloomfield Hills-based Elias Muawad, said the girl voluntarily left her home and met with his client and is now claiming forced sexual conduct.
“Force is the key thing here,” he said. “My client also believed the girl was 16 because of statements she made to him.”
The girl may have also told Kennedy she was 16 in exchanges they had over the Internet, Muawad said.
“I’m hoping she doesn’t ruin this young man’s life and tells the truth about (giving her consent),” he said.
A preliminary exam for Kennedy is scheduled for Nov. 20 before District Judge Douglas Shepherd.
Kennedy was arrested after a police officer on patrol found him engaged in sex with the girl in a car at about 3 a.m. Sunday, said Muscynski.
The car was in a parking lot in the 24 Mile and Van Dyke area, he said.
The old “she said she was 16” defense. You know just because it may be legal for a 22-year-old to have sex with a 16-year-old doesn’t make it right.
Anyway, I was unable to find a current MySpace for this loser.