By Erin McClary SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A preliminary examination into the alleged criminal sex acts upon two young autistic boys from Macomb Township was adjourned July 7. Jonathan Maltese, 21, will now wait until July 29 to formally hear the evidence brought against him, which could include a surveillance video taken when the two little boys were left under his care June 19. The parents of the two boys set up a hidden surveillance at their home to monitor the children under Maltese’s care. When they later reviewed the footage, it appeared that Maltese had sexually accosted their kids. At the time, Maltese worked for a local agency that specializes in the needs of autistic children. Capt. John Roberts of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office said his department received the information the evening of June 19 and picked up the suspect the next day. He said the victims’ parents decided to monitor Maltese not because they had reason to believe he was molesting their children, but more so out of curiosity. “People want to be able to check out what’s going on,” he said. “This is probably their worst nightmare. They don’t want to believe this sort of thing is going on.” Conditions set by both the prosecution and defense July 7 resulted in the rescheduled preliminary examination, as both prosecuting attorney Rebecca Oster and Maltese’s attorney Christopher Fischer agreed to postpone the court appearance. Maltese was arraigned in Shelby Township’s 41-A District Court June 23 and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony carrying 15 years jail time; one charge of gross indecency between males committing or procuring, a five-year felony; and one count of accosting children for immoral purposes. Roberts said his department does not believe Maltese has a past criminal record of child molestation and did not know whether Maltese had been removed from his care-giving position. What exactly Maltese is being accused of doing to the young boys was not detailed, but Roberts did say the video revealed “criminal acts committed upon the children by Mr. Maltese.” Because the investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office was reluctant to provide specifics. “Based on the evidence of the video and interview, evidence does support the criminal sexual conduct charges,” Roberts said. Under Michigan law, second-degree criminal sexual conduct is determined if a victim is under the age of 13; or if the victim is under the age of 16 and has a significant relationship to the defendant. Sexual conduct charges may also apply if the defendant has knowledge that the victim is mentally impaired, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; or if the defendant uses force, threat with a weapon, causes harm or fear of great bodily harm to accomplish a sex act; or if the defendant is a teacher or holds a position of authority over the victim. The accosted young boys have been examined by medical personnel, said Roberts, and are not believed to be suffering from any lasting physical injuries. Maltese was released on a cash-surety posted bond after his arraignment June 23. He will be back in Shelby Township’s 41-A District Court July 29 at 9 a.m. before Judge Douglas Shepherd for the rescheduled preliminary examination. The children’s names and ages, as well as the name of the autism agency Maltese worked for, were not released in an effort to conceal the identities of the victims’ family. You can reach Staff Writer Erin McClary at emcclary@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1118. |
