Next court date set for alleged masturbator
Man accused of act with an Elmo doll during home inspection
A home inspector facing charges for allegedly masturbating with a toddler’s Elmo doll while on the job will have a preliminary exam next week where a judge will decide if the case moves forward.
Kevin Wayne VanLuven, 59, of Clarkston, is charged with aggravated indecent exposure and malicious destruction of property under $200 — both misdemeanors. His preliminary exam is set for April 26 before Judge Nancy Carniak of 52-3 District Court.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened March 12 at a home in Oxford Township. The homeowners told detectives they were selling their home and had let VanLuven and the buyer’s real estate agent in, then left during the home inspection which was requested by the prospective buyers.
A camera in the nursery subsequently alerted the homeowner’s phone of movement in the room, and while checking the phone the homeowner allegedly saw VanLuven in the nursery, touching himself, the sheriff’s office said. The homeowner recorded the incident, which also reportedly showed that VanLuven picked up the Elmo doll from the nursery floor and then appeared to pleasure himself with the doll before returning it to the floor.
When the case was made public, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard called it “a new level of disturbing actions.”
Assistant prosecutor Kanika Ferency said Monday that the accusations against VanLuven “rise to a concern for public safety.”
VanLuven initially denied the allegations when questioned by deputies, but later made incriminating statements and apologized after being told about the camera footage, according to the sheriff’s office.
VanLuven could spend up to two years in jail and be fined $2,000 if convicted of aggravated indecent exposure.
The property crime carries a penalty of up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
He’s currently housed in the Oakland County Jail, unable to pay 10 percent of a $2,500 bond — $250 — because he “can’t access his own money,” according to his attorney, Jeffrey Quas.
Quas had indicated he wanted next week’s preliminary exam to be held inperson. However, Carniak told him that while her courtroom is open, Oakland County assistant prosecutors will only conduct such proceedings remotely for the time being.