Overview
- Benjamin Wagner, 68, was arraigned via Zoom Thursday in Detroit and jailed without bond after standing mute to five sex assault and kidnapping cases.
- He faces 14 charges tied to five attacks from 1999 to 2003 that involved girls and young women ages 15 to 23 in northwest Detroit.
- The judge highlighted a consistent pattern in the allegations in which a gunman confronted victims, moved them to secluded spots, and assaulted them.
- Prosecutors said DNA links the cases and argued he is a flight risk because he lives in North Carolina, works at an airport, and has access to the NCIC police database.
- The investigation grew from Detroit’s 2009 discovery of thousands of untested rape kits, and the next hearings are set for April 7 and April 14 as police seek possible additional victims at 313-596-1950.