Former Oakland County director of community and minority affairs potentially faces life in prison after he was charged with six counts of criminal sexual conduct against a teenage girl.
Richard Edward Williams, 54, of Independence Township was arraigned in 52-2 District Court on March 21 before Judge Dana Fortinberry. A personal bond was set at $375,000.
The charges include two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, which is a life felony; three counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct, 15-year felonies; and one count of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct, a 2-year misdemeanor.
Williams is scheduled to appear in court again for exam on April 3 at 1:30 p.m. Oakland County Chief Prosecutor Deborah Carley said the personal bond was ‘a bit unusual for such serious charges? and that prosecutors may ask for an increased bond at the exam.
The investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department started after a family friend reported the allegations in March to the Department of Human Services, said Carley. The victim originally reported the alleged incidents to her family in Jan. 2006.
According to Carley, the victim was Williams? adopted daughter and the offenses allegedly took place in Independence Township from the summer of 2001 through Nov. 2005 while the girl was 12 to 16.
Williams served as Oakland County director of community and minority affairs from Oct. 2, 1995 until Jan. 13, 2005, confirmed Oakland County media and communications officer Bob Dustman.