KALAMAZOO (WWJ) - Three men, including one former police officer with Western Michigan University, are behind bars as a result of a sex sting operation executed by deputies with the Kalamazoo Sheriff's Office, officials announced on Friday.
Sheriff Richard Fuller said during a press conference on April 15 via mLive that the operation that led to the multiple arrests was the first kind of human trafficking investigation his office has carried out.
The three suspects, including a 10-year veteran of the WMU police department, Abraham Hohnke, 49, from Portage, are accused by deputies for seeking sex from minors, Fuller said at the press conference.
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The sex sting was carried out over the last week during an eight-hour period, Fuller said; the three men believed they were rendezvousing with underage children, but sheriff's deputies greeted them instead.
“This is a tragic situation in our nation where we have serious crimes occurring,” Fuller said. “Every day, there are thousands of people looking for juveniles to have sex with.
“If you are, we are going to actively seek you."
Hohnke along with Aaron James Bower-Guimond, 27, of Mattawan, and Nathan Lee Ruzick, 26, of Mattawan, appeared in court on Friday and arraigned on charges in connection with the operation.
Charges resulting from the operation are as follows:
• Abraham Martin Hohnke, 49, of Portage, an ex-WMU Police Department officer has been charged with a count of children – accosting for immoral purposes, a four-year felony, and one count of computers – internet – communicating with another to commit crime, a 4 to 10 year felony if convicted. Hohnke was employed by the department at the time of his alleged crime.
• Aaron James Bower-Guimond, 27, of Mattawan, was charged with one count of children – accosting for immoral purposes.
• Nathan Lee Ruzick, 26, of Mattawa, was charged with one count of children – accosting for immoral purposes.
Fuller said the men were apprehended thanks to a collaborative effort from Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office personnel and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.
Genesee County deputies are known for conducting multiple human trafficking stings and helped start an operation on the state's west side, Fuller said.
Via mLive, WMU President Edward Montgomery released a statement Friday afternoon after Hohnke's arrest was made known, assuring that no WMU student or other member of the school's community were involved.
Montgomery said Hohnke was suspended without pay and was given notice of their intent to terminate him from his position in accordance with provisions of the WMU Police Officers Collective Bargaining Agreement.
“While this incident did not occur on campus or in the course of the employee’s duties, I share these developments for the sake of transparency and in line with how seriously we take this matter. We are fully cooperating with authorities to aid their investigation as needed,” Montgomery said.
“The behavior alleged in the charges is abhorrent and completely counter to the University’s values. The WMU police department is a fully accredited sworn force that is committed to community policing and the safety of our community. We will simply not tolerate behavior that undermines the faith and confidence in our officers who dedicate themselves to our safety daily,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery said Hohnke opted to resign from his position Friday afternoon and all of his campus privileges and police powers were revoked.
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