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Posted on Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.

HIV-positive Ypsilanti man charged with sexually assaulting two more victims

By John Counts

Leonardo_Christian2.jpg

Leonardo Devinci Christian

Courtesy of WCSO

The Ypsilanti man accused of putting a 14-year-old boy at risk of HIV now faces similar charges for alleged sexual assaults of two additional males.

Leonardo Christian, 53, has been charged with two more counts of sexual penetration with an uninformed partner when there’s risk of AIDS — as well as other criminal sexual conduct charges — for alleged incidents that occurred in 2006. At the time, the victims were both 15 years old, Ypsilanti police said.

Christian met the boys in downtown Ypsilanti, where he was a well-known figure, and invited them back to his residence to perform chores, Ypsilanti police Sgt. Thomas Eberts said.

“He (brought) them back to do odd-jobs,” Eberts said.

The sexual assaults occurred over a span of time during the summer of 2006, he added. The two victims have been part of an ongoing police investigation concerning Christian. A preliminary examination was adjourned earlier this month as these new charges were anticipated.

Eberts said one of the new victims has tested negative for HIV. Police are awaiting results on the second one.

Christian was first charged last month with several counts of criminal sexual conduct charges including one charge of exposing the 14-year-old male victim to HIV, which causes AIDS. Christian met the 14-year-old boy at the charity Christmas dinners he hosts. In addition to taping Ypsilanti City Council meetings for Ypsinews.com, Christian was involved with various fundraising efforts in the area.

In all, Christian is charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct, criminal sexual assault — assault with intent of sexual penetration, four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, victim between 13 and 16, three counts of sexual penetration with an uninformed partner when there’s risk of AIDS, two counts of accosting a child for immoral purposes and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, victim between 13 and 16.

He has a preliminary examination scheduled in the district court for the charges in connection with the 14-year-old boy on Tuesday. Christian remains at the county jail where a judge has increased his bond to $300,000 from $50,000 cash, according to Eberts.

John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.

Comments

ypsi 1

Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.

Cyclegirl is right. Many people supported his charity dinners, myself included. Steve was as shocked as we all were and would have immediately reported these alleged crimes if he had known. Anyone would have. None of this should reflect on Pierce for helping out with some employment a person we all thought to be OK.

CycleGirl

Sun, Sep 23, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.

EOS, what a crock. Steve Pierce employed him out of the goodness of his heart. He did good work, that's why he employed him. I know Steve had no knowledge of Leonardo's personal life. There were many people around town that helped and supported his fundraisers. It's his personal life that's in question, until proven guilty. I would certainly vote for Steve in any endeavor he takes on, his character should not be in question. No reason for Steve or any other businesses that supported Leonardo to hold their head down.

JMA2Y

Sun, Sep 23, 2012 : 2:42 a.m.

Why are comments about cutting off anatomy not deleted but other, less vile comments usually are?

Laverte Minter

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.

How do you end up with a name so pure but alleadged actions so rotten?

DeNiro

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.

What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

DBH

Sun, Sep 23, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.

My thought exactly.

EOS

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.

the person who must feel the worst about this is steve pierce. for years he employed this alleged pedophile. he'll never be able to run for political office again because people will question his judgement and character. my heart goes out to you steve. keep a stiff upper lip.

pseudo

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

I'd like to see some clarification from Ann Arbor.com about how they decide what vocabulary to use with talking about criminal suspects and crime victims. These victims are being called 'males'. In past stories crime suspects of 18 and 19 have been called 'teens', 'youths' etc. Each of these terms has implications and context and A2.com should have some more standard way of using vocabulary because 18 and 19 year olds being called 'teens' is a bit incongruent when these 15 16 year olds are being called "males".

southsiderez

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.

Sorry I meant "were."

southsiderez

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 3:39 p.m.

Seems like there's more to this story. He was a well-known figure who hosted charity dinners? Where city funds used? As an alleged predator (and don't delete this--as a former journalist I know I'm in my legal right using the word alleged without risk of libel), where adults duped or funds used to help him allegedly engage with these kids? Did the boys willingly participate in the alleged crimes? Why 2nd degree and not 1st degree?

rinmem10

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.

Ironic surname. Nothing Christ-like in this situation.

slave2work

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.

Do they seperate hiv inmates from others?.. was just a thought.

Jay Thomas

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 11:47 p.m.

I don't know. I do know that Obama changed government policy to allow people with HIV/Aids and other contagious diseases to come to America when they were barred before.

hermhawk

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 12:08 p.m.

A potential murderer is who he is.

CincoDeMayo

Sat, Sep 22, 2012 : 11:14 a.m.

At the county jail might be the safest place for him. (This is in no way meant to be a threat; just an observation. No need to delete.)