Update: 2 Detroit Officers Arraigned On Misconduct Charges

DETROIT, MI- Two of the three Detroit officers involved in misconduct chargers were arraigned this morning before the 36th District Court.

Lonnie Wade was arraigned this morning before the 36th District Court, his probable cause conference is scheduled for Jan. 02, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. , with the preliminary examination scheduled for Jan. 08, 2018 at 9 a.m. Wade's bond is set at $50,000 plus was given a GPS tether, according to a statement sent out from the Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor.

Richard Billingslea was arraigned on two separate cases this morning by the 36th District Court; his probable cause conferences are scheduled for Jan. 02, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. with the preliminary examination set for Jan. 08, 2018 at 9 a.m. Both hearings took place before the 36th District Court this morning, Billingslea received a $50,000 bond on plus a GPS tether; on his case regarding charges of great bodily harm, aggravated assault, and misconduct case, according to the statement from the Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor.

Three Detroit Police officers have been charged with assault against citizens in three separate incidents dating back to August 2016, announced Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Wednesday. The prosecutor also announced on Wednesday that a Michigan State Police trooper is facing murder charges.

Detroit Police Officer Richard Billingslea, 25, is charged with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault and battery, obstruction of justice, and misconduct in office. The charges stem from an incident in May when Billingslea had an altercation with Michaele Jackson, 39, and D’Marco Craft, 26, both of Detroit, at a Mobil gas station in Detroit.

According to Worthy, Billingslea and his partner, Hakeem Patterson, stopped at the gas station in the 17000-block of Harper Avenue. Billingslea exchanged words with Jackson. The argument escalated into an assault, during which Jackson was pepper-sprayed and beaten.

Craft, meanwhile, recorded the assault on his cellphone, which was taken by another officer who responded to the location. Billingslea is alleged to have disposed of Craft’s phone in a trash can in the store. Jackson was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Arrangements are being made for Billingslea to turn himself in for arraignment.

Davis also announced charges against Detroit Police officer Lonnie Wade, 65, who as an off-duty officer was involved in an incident at a Mejier located at Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile Road in Detroit. Wade, according to Worthy's office, assaulted David Blvins as he left the store on Oct. 10.

Apparently, while Blvins was waiting for his girlfriend, he was approached by Wade outside the store. Blvins had been accused of shoplifting, but showed police receipts proving he had purchased the goods he had from the store. Wade, however, proceeded to take his baton and strike Blvins, damaging eight of his teeth and breaking his jaw, according to Worthy.

Wade was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault and two counts of misconduct in office. The incident had prompted an outcry of police brutality after a cellphone video of the incident was uploaded to the internet and widely circulated through social media.

Worthy also announced charges against a former Detroit police officer, Edward Hicks, 28, in connection with the assault of Deonta Stewart, 31, of Detroit on Aug. 30, 2016. According to Worthy, Hicks was involved in a foot pursuit of Stewart. When Stewart stopped, Hicks caught up with him and punched the man multiple times in the face before arresting him. Before taking Stewart to the Detroit Detention Center, Hicks told Stewart to lie to intake officers about his injuries and his arrest, Worthy said.

Hicks was charged on Wednesday with assault with intent to commit great bodily harm, aggravated assault, obstruction of justice, and misconduct into office.

Arrangements are being made for Hicks to turn himself in for arraignment.

Worthy also announced murder charges against Michigan State Police trooper Mark Bessner in the death of a 15-year-old Detroit boy. Authorities say Bessner Tasered the boy, who was driving an ATV on a city street, while trying to stop him during a pursuit last August. Bessner, 43, has been charged with second degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

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