Man charged in sex case
Independence Township resident accused of molesting five kids, sharing child porn
By Mike Martindale /
The Detroit News

CLARKSTON -- An Independence Township man charged Thursday with 12 counts of criminal sexual conduct involving numerous children is linked to child pornographic activity on the Internet that authorities say spans at least five states and one other country.

Guy R. Lendrum, 32, was held in the Oakland County Jail in lieu of $2.7 million cash or surety bond set by Clarkston 52-2 District Judge Michael Batchik pending a Dec. 15 preliminary examination. The charges, including first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct, carry up to life in prison on conviction.

Every time you feel you have seen the worst of it all, you lift a rock and are surprised at what crawls out from under it, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.

Bouchard said Lendrum, who is married and has two children, is charged with having sexual contact with five children: an 18-month-old, three 7-year-old girls and an 8-year-old boy, Bouchard said.

Lendrum, who has no previous criminal history, was arrested Nov. 15 after a joint investigation conducted by the Oakland County Sheriff's Computer Crimes unit and the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI.

Police say Lendrum was interviewed and subsequently charged with three counts of child sexual abusive activity and the use of computers with another to commit a crime -- the transmissions of child pornographic material. Using computers to transmit such material is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Distributing, promoting or possessing such material are felonies punishable by between 4 and 7 years in prison and fines.

Lendrum's computer was seized and an analysis of its data revealed at least nine possible suspects, two in Michigan and others out of state, who police say were involved in the transmissions of child pornography. All but one of Lendrum's suspected victims appear to have lived in or have some ties to the Clinton Villas Trailer Park.

Lendrum, who is employed as an usher at the Star Movie Theater at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, appeared before Batchik with his arms shackled. Lendrum has lived on South River Drive in the trailer park since March 2003. His wife told investigators she had no knowledge of any improper activities with their children or other children.

Among the victims is an 18-year-old who said he had sexual contact with Lendrum dating back to 1992 when he was only 8 years old, investigators said.

Lendrum's attorney, Douglas Oliver, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The two-week probe has resulted in search warrants being executed in Genesee, Saginaw and Midland counties, investigators said. They have seized a wide array of equipment and images, they said.

Investigators suspect Lendrum was swapping photographs taken of his own children and others and putting them on the Internet. Investigators have interviewed at least one individual to whom they say Lendrum offered children for sex in exchange for a camera or sexual favors with another child.

Lendrum's two children, plus six children from Genesee and Midland Counties have been removed from their homes and placed into protective custody, Bouchard said.

Bouchard asked anyone with information about suspected child pornography or sexually abused children to call an anonymous tipline at 1-888-TURN-1-IN or Bouchard's sexual crimes unit at (248) 452-2010.

You can reach Mike Martindale at (248) 647-7226 or [email protected].

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