Pontiac — An ex-Detroit police
officer was sentenced Monday to 10 to 15 years in prison for sexually
assaulting young victims met through his troubled teen boot camp.
Geoffrey Townsend, 46, of Farmington Hills
was convicted of six counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving
victims he met through his Reality Check Detroit boot camp. A website for the
nonprofit boot camp touted Townsend's experience as a Detroit police officer as
an asset to helping teenagers straighten out their lives.
Oakland Circuit Judge Martha Anderson
exceeded sentencing guidelines of 51 to 85 months based on Townsend exploiting
his career to gain the access and trust of young victims and their parents. At
least one victim was only 13 years old.
The incidents took place between October 2010
and August 2012 inside Townsend's home in Farmington Hills and surfaced after
one girl's mother learned of the inappropriate acts and contacted police