By David Fleet

Editor

(Update) A Goodrich businessman and resident was arrested on July 18 after he allegedly used the social media app Grindr to attract a 14-year-old boy into his home for sex.

Sheriff Robert Pickell announced on Thursday morning that Terry Cadarette, 48, will face three counts of criminal sexual conduct, one count computers-internet communicating with another to commit a crime and one count accosting a child for immoral purposes. Cadarette is the owner/broker of Real Estate Pros, 8331 S. State Road. He had no prior arrests and is free on $100,000 bond with 10 percent surety.

Each felony criminal sexual conduct charge carries a 15-year sentence; the communicating with another to commit a crime carries a 20-year sentence and accosting a child for immoral purposes is a four-year sentence if convicted.

Cadarette was under investigation after a 20-year-old man cut off his electronic tether from a federal court, was arrested and offered information.

“The man was arrested in Genesee County and told deputies that Cadarette had lured the young man into his Goodrich business for sex,” said Pickell.  The sex act had been on his mind and troubled him for many years.”

According to Pickell, in November 2013, the 14-year old boy, now 17-years-old, was online conversing with Terry Cadarette, then 45-years-old, via the computer application “Grindr” and via text messaging.

Grindr is advertised as the world’s leading mobile social network app exclusively for gay, bi and curious men, with more than 2 million daily users. It is designed to help men meet other men in their area for sexual encounters, dating, or friendship. Grindr requires participants to be 18-years-old.

The 14-year-old boy, out of concern for the age difference, told Cadarette, “I am only 14-years-old and I am nervous about the age difference.” Cadarette reassured the 14-year-old boy that everything would be fine. Cadarette coaxed the 14-year-old to meet in person and suggested that they meet at a store in Davison, reported Pickell.

The report states the young boy walked to that store from his parents’ home, and was picked up there by Cadarette. The defendant then drove the 14-year-old to his home in Goodrich. Once inside the home, Cadarette allegedly began engaging in sexual activity with the 14-year-old boy.

After the assault, Cadarette drove the 14-year-old back to the intersection near his parents’ home and dropped him off.

“It took a lot of courage for the young man to come forward,” said Pickell. “The parents were shocked, but the father was very supportive of the son and accepting. The young man was not afraid to talk and bring this case against Cadarette. We are looking for other possible criminal sexual activity that may have taken place between Cadarette and other young boys,” said Pickell in a statement on Thursday. “We recently received a report that Cadarette engages in sexual activity with a 16-year-old male after business hours at the Real Estate Pros location in Goodrich.”

Call investigators at 810-257-3422 with any information about the case.

The next court date for Cadarette will be Aug. 4.