Full Notification

The Columbia Township Police Department had previously reported an arrest and charges relative to an investigation of a Criminal Sexual Assault that was reportedly involving a 26 year old male suspect, and a 19 year old female victim. The victim is cognitively impaired with the mental capacity of a 6 to 10 year old.

In the initial phase of the investigation, the exact location where the crimes occurred was not immediately known. Sgt. Niles’ investigation included obtaining a search warrant for the phone of the suspect. Based on the investigation, two crimes were established between this suspect and victim, one occurring in Leoni Township, the second occurring in Napoleon Township. It should be noted that the suspect served as a supervisor over the victim in an employment role.

The report and a warrant request were submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, and on Thursday, March 28, 2013, a two count felony warrant was issued for Andrew Aaron Blass, 26 years, of Brooklyn, MI. The warrant was signed that day, and he was arrested by Sgt. Niles on Friday, March 29, 2013, and lodged at the Jackson County Jail.

He was charged with one count of First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, and one count of Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct.

Andrew Blass had recently entered a guilty plea to 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, and on July 31, 2013, he was sentenced to 6 years to 15 years in prison, with credit for 124 days served in jail.

It should be noted that Sgt. Niles utilized the services of the Jackson County Child Advocacy Center to interview the victim, which specializes in crimes against children. The Child Advocacy Center brings together the police investigating the crime, a prosecutor, and a specially trained forensic interviewer. Simultaneously, counseling services are offered to the family of the victim.