An arrest has been made in Michigan about the allegations that a 34-year-old man held a lady captive in his home for several months. The victim was allegedly locked in a closet where he frequently tormented her and stole her government payments.
Authorities claimed that Darren John Dawson was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of each of the following: unlawful confinement, torture, and larceny by conversion of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.
“The victim endured unimaginable suffering in what can only be described as a living nightmare,” Lucido stated. “Our office is committed to seeking justice for her, and we will pursue every avenue to ensure this individual is held fully accountable for the alleged crimes committed.”
Authorities claim that between November 2023 and April 2024, Dawson detained the victim, a 58-year-old lady whose name has not been disclosed, “against her will and kept her in a closet in his Clinton Township apartment,” according to a news release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
About 25 miles to the northeast of Detroit is Clinton Township.
According to the press announcement, Dawsom committed the horrific acts against the victim “over a drug debt.” It wasn’t evident right away. The amount of money Dawson thought the victim owed him was not immediately known.
Prosecutors claim that while the woman was being held captive for around five months, Dawson stole her food stamps and cashed her Social Security payments in addition to regularly “torturing” her.
Lucido reportedly remarked, “This is bizarre,” as reported by local news outlet. “That’s how animals are treated. They’re put in pens, but they’re not tortured. That’s the difference. In fact, this is worse treatment than an animal.”
Dawson entered a not guilty plea to the aforementioned counts when he appeared in 41B District Court in Clinton Township on Thursday. Dawson was later placed under arrest by Magistrate Judge Ryan Zemke on lieu of a $1 million cash or a surety bail, with no 10% required.
Zemke ordered Dawson to wear a GPS tracker and forbade him from having any contact with the victim or from owning a firearm in the event that Dawson was released on bond.
On August 20, 2024, he is due back in court for a probable cause conference with District Court Judge Jacob Femminineo, Jr.
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Dawson may receive a maximum term of life in a state prison if found guilty on the torture charge. He might spend up to 15 years in illegal detention.
Randall Upshaw, Dawson’s lawyer, disputed the accusations made against his client. Upshaw claimed he had not had a chance to look over most of the prosecution’s evidence, but he had spoken with his client and other people who had assured him the victim had not been tortured or held in a closet.
Regarding the claims of torture, Upshaw allegedly remarked, “That’s not accurate, that’s not true. I believe my client and I believe the people that support him.”
