December 7, 2006

Detroit - The Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office are announcing the arrests of Theodore Lamborgine, 65, and Richard Lawson, 60. They are believed to be responsible for sexually assaulting 14 juveniles in Wayne County during the 1970s and 1980s.

"This case reminds us that child molestation can affect a victim's life forever," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "We know there are probably more victims of Lamborgine and Lawson and we urge them to come forward no matter how long ago the crime occurred."

On December 6, officers from the Parma Heights, Ohio Police Department arrested Lamborgine of Parma Heights, Ohio, on 17 counts of various degrees of criminal sexual conduct. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted eight juveniles.

Lamborgine is being transported to Michigan and is expected to be arraigned at the 36th District Court in Detroit, 34th District Court in Romulus and 28th District Court in Southgate on December 11. If convicted, Lamborgine could face life in prison.

In addition, Worthy authorized 28 counts of various degrees of criminal sexual conduct against Lawson. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted six juveniles.

Lawson is currently serving a life sentence in the Southern Michigan Correctional Facility in Jackson County for a 1989 murder. He is also expected to be arraigned at the 36th District Court in Detroit and 34th District Court in Romulus on December 11. If convicted, Lawson could face an additional sentence of life in prison.

"The assault of a child is something law enforcement never takes lightly; whether it occurred today or 30 years ago," said Colonel Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP. "These suspects are facing multiple charges thanks to the courage of the victims, the diligent efforts of investigators and the leadership of Prosecutor Worthy."

"The charges resulting from these over 20-year-old crimes issued against Lamborgine and Lawson represent a two year multi-jurisdictional investigation involving Principal Attorney Robert Moran and Chief Investigator James Bivens from my office, as well as the Michigan State Police, Livonia Police Department and the FBI, along with the Parma Heights, Ohio Police Department," said Worthy.

A press conference will be held at the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office (Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit) on Monday, December 11 at 10 a.m. to provide further information about the criminal sexual conduct charges.

Lamborgine and Lawson's victims were identified through the cooperative effort of the Oakland County Child Killer Task Force, FBI, Livonia Police Department, Parma Heights (Ohio) Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. It should be noted that while these crimes were uncovered by the task force investigating four Oakland County unsolved homicides that occurred in 1976 and 1977, these criminal sexual conduct charges are not related to the infamous homicide investigation.

The Oakland County Child Killer Task Force is comprised of investigators from the MSP, Berkley Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, Franklin Police Department, Livonia Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff 's Department, Royal Oak Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Troy Police Department and the FBI.

Read more news releases from the Michigan State Police.