INKSTER (WWJ) -- An Oakland County woman has been charged with a felony after it's alleged she lied to authorities investigating the case of a missing teenager who was found dead.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced she has charged 48-year-old Charla Rashida Pendergrass of Clawson with one count of Lying to a Peace Officer – Violent Crime Investigation.
It's alleged, prosecutors said, that between April 5 and April 24, Pendergrass failed to tell the truth to FBI agents while they were conducting a criminal investigation into London Thomas' disappearance.
Thomas, 17, was last seen alive on April 5 in an Inkster neighborhood with her 23-year-old boyfriend, according to Detroit Police. On April 17. the FBI, Detroit Police and Inkster Police raided a home on Carlysle Street, near where Thomas was last seen, that is believed to belong to the teen's 23-year-old boyfriend.
Thomas' body was found in an SUV in Southfield on April 26, and two people were arrested.
On May 1, Michigan State Police said a hearing was conducted in the case and the two suspects were released pending further investigation.
Friday morning, Pendergrass was arrested by the MSP on the lying charge, which is a felony carrying up to four years in prison.
At an arraignment in 22nd District Court Friday afternoon, an attorney for Pendergrass entered a plea of not guilty.
Bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety bond with a GPS tether. She was ordered to have no contact with the witnesses in the investigation, to surrender her passport, not to leave the state without permission, and not posses any weapons or ammunition.
Pendergrass' next scheduled court date is a Probable Cause Conference on May 7.
MSP said detectives are continuing to work with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and more charges could be announced as the investigation continues.
Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for more on this developing story.