2 arrested on CSC charges in connection to child trafficking case.

2 arrested on CSC charges in connection to child trafficking case.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

OCEANA COUNTY — Two Muskegon men face charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) in connection to a child trafficking investigation conducted by a multijurisdictional task force including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.

McKinney

Dwight Bernard McKinney, 17, of 954 Plymouth St., and Robert Iree Mallard, 22, of 2115 Austin St., have been arraigned in Oceana County’s 78th District Court, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon. McKinney faces three counts of first-degree CSC, and Mallard faces one count of first-degree CSC.

The massive investigation began July 23 at 6:30 a.m. when an Oceana County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to an Oceana County residence, Mast said.

“As the investigation continued, it was found that there had been an inappropriate relationship between a preteen girl and a man,” Mast said.

“The investigation overturned substantial amounts of evidence implicating the suspects,” said Mast. “The investigation snowballed.”

Additional suspects are being investigated in Muskegon County in connection to the case, the sheriff said. “It appears more victims may be uncovered.”

Mallard

A task force involving both sheriff’s offices from Oceana and Muskegon counties, the Michigan State Police and the FBI are involved, said Mast.

“The MSP is further investigating this incident, and the trafficking task force is involved,” said Det./Sgt. Matt Nobliski. “We are still developing suspects and victims. Evidence has been obtained, and we are analyzing it.

“This is a fairly large investigation,” Nobliski said. “Our involvement came back on the 23rd of July. It involves multiple counties. We’re all working to bring it to a successful investigation and prosecution.”

As of Friday, Sept. 11, Mallard remained lodged in the Oceana County Jail on a $75,000/cash/surety/10 percent bond, Bizon said. McKinney was released from jail after posting a $75,000/cash/surety bond.

Mallard appeared in 78th District Court for a preliminary exam Monday, Sept. 14. His case was bound over to 27th Circuit Court, Bizon said. McKinney’s preliminary exam is being re-scheduled. First-degree CSC is punishable by up to life in prison.

Two other suspects have been arrested and arraigned in Muskegon County’s 60th District Court, Nobliski said. Jermaine Lamar Chapman, 24, of 2425 McIlwraith St., Muskegon has been charged with one count of first-degree CSC and one count of child sexually abusive material possession in one file and and one count of second-degree CSC in a separate case, according to court staff. Quonteravious Moffett, 19, of 1855 Carriage St., Muskegon faces one count of third-degree CSC.

“Police were called into a single incident, and it developed into a lot more,” said Bizon. “The sheriff’s department asked for assistance from the Michigan State Police and, in turn, asked for help from a multijurisdictional task force.”

The July 23 incident “opened up a can of worms,” Mast said.

If anyone has information related to this case, they should contact the Muskegon Silent Observer Program at 231-722-7463 to leave an anonymous tip.

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