An Orion Township employee who’s a retired police officer is facing criminal charges for allegedly repeatedly molesting a 13-year-old girl he knew through his family.
Thomas Patrick Cupples, 52, of Oxford Township, was arraigned in Rochester Hills 52-3 District Court on four charges ? first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a relation and first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving someone under the age of 13.
Deputies arrested him Friday at the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation inside the Orion Township Hall, located at 2525 Joslyn Road.
He’s currently being held in the Oakland County Jail in lieu of posting a $1 million bond.
Cupples is a former Ferndale Police sergeant who retired in 2005 after 28 years of service.
For the last three years, he’s worked for Orion as a full-time code enforcement officer in the township.
According to the sheriff’s department, on Aug. 6, the victim told her mother that Cupples had been sexually assaulting her since she was 11 years old.
The victim stated she was allegedly assaulted by Cupples approximately 15 times over the last two years. The last assault allegedly occurred in June of this year.
Orion Township Supervisor Matt Gibb couldn’t believe it when he heard the news about Cupples.
‘We were surprised,? he said. ‘Tom’s been a dedicated employee, so it was surprising to us.?
As for what effect these charges will have on Cupples? employment status with the township, Gibb said, ‘It’s impossible for us right now to even comment on it because we’re still getting facts other than what’s been disclosed very briefly to us.?
‘It’s too early for us to make any comment or decision on it,? the supervisor said. ‘We’re basically waiting and allowing the (criminal justice) process to go (forward) and we’re not going to draw any conclusions. (We) hope the process works as it’s supposed to in America.?
Cupples next date in the 52-3 District Court is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26 at 8:30 a.m.