Man accused of sexually assaulting boy did good in the community
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By Maurielle Lue, Fox 2 News -
Leonardo Devinci Christian
YPSILANTI, Mich. (MyFox Detroit) -- It's the kind of news that makes you sick to your stomach. 53-year-old Leonardo Devinci Christian is accused of doing something despicable, a felony, sexually assaulting a person without telling his partner he is HIV positive. His alleged victim was a 14-year-old boy.
"He was definitely good in the community. He was always raising money for different events or different kids and things," said Corey Barden.
The two met last year at a free holiday meal event organized by Christian himself. Ypsilanti Police say Christian gave the boy's family free tickets to a charity Christmas dinner at Korey's Krispy Krunchy Chicken. The restaurant's owner can't believe it.
"I was completely shocked because I wouldn't expect anything like that, and I'm kind of dumbfounded. I can't believe it, but I do definitely feel for the alleged victim's family," Barden said.
Christian is charged with multiple felonies, including criminal sexual assault and assault with intent to penetrate. He's thrown a lot of children's events and police don't know if he could have infected more victims. Some who knew him say the writing could have been on the wall.
"There used to be a porno shop or something over by EMU, adult bookstore or something, and he used to run that," one man told us.
Christian was arrested on Wednesday. He will face a judge September 11.
Police say they're now sifting through the evidence collected at his home.
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Leonardo Devinci Christian
