Benjamin Wagner, 68, a former Detroit police sergeant, faces 14 separate charges, including eight counts of first-degree sexual assault and five counts of kidnapping.

"The sad truth in this case is that the person we are charging today lived a double life", prosecutor Kym Worthy stated at a press conference on 19/3.

Michigan authorities accuse Wagner of sexually assaulting five women, aged 15 to 23, between 1999 and 2003. Wagner sought victims in northwest Detroit in the early morning hours as they walked to school, returned home from work, or visited friends.

According to the prosecutor, in each attack, Wagner reportedly approached victims from behind, brandished a pistol, forced them to a secluded location, and sexually assaulted them without using a condom. The attacks occurred just a few miles from his home.

Benjamin Wagner is currently in custody. *Photo: Pitt County Detention Center*

Wagner served with the Detroit Police Department (DPD) from 1989 until his retirement in 2017, receiving numerous commendations. He worked in various units, including criminal investigation and tactical operations.

The breakthrough in the case resulted from a multi-year investigation, stemming from the discovery of over 11,000 untested sexual assault evidence collection kits (rape kits) left in DPD storage in 2009.

Five of Wagner's victims reported the assaults immediately, enabling police to collect the evidence kits at the time.

Wagner was arrested in early March in Greenville, North Carolina, where he had lived since leaving the police force. He refused extradition to face the charges in Michigan. He will not be prosecuted for the weapon-related offenses in this case, as Michigan's statute of limitations for that charge is only six years.

Benjamin Wagner upon arrest. *Photo: Greenville PD*

At a hearing on 26/3, the prosecutor revealed that Wagner was working for an airline, had access to the National Crime Information Center database, and could potentially flee by plane at any time.

After reviewing all evidence, the judge found a high likelihood of Wagner's conviction, based on DNA test results and other documented evidence. The judge ordered Wagner's detention without bail and scheduled the next court hearing for 7/4.

Officials believe there may be unreported cases and urged any other potential victims of Wagner to contact the DPD's Sexual Assault Unit.

The prosecutor did not confirm whether Wagner had any on-duty connections to the victims or if he had ever been the subject of internal investigations or other criminal charges throughout his career.

By Tue Anh, citing Fox News and Detroit News