(WXYZ) — The U.S. Marshals are putting a call out for help finding an alleged child molester on the run in Macomb County.
Police say 73-year-old Shelby Township man Michael Flaker is wanted for eight counts of criminal sexual conduct, and the investigation spans out multiple states. Officials say Flaker even stood before a judge and confessed to the horrific charges.
"This guy's a complete sexual predator," said Deputy Aaron Garcia. "He’s done it before to multiple kids, we believe this investigation in another state is not over with."
Police warn Flaker easily blends with other retirees and preys on children by gaining access, then violating their trust. Text messages between him and the victim shows an admittance of guilt and the extreme lifelong pain his actions have caused, according to deputies.
"The victims in these text messages are obviously concerned, they’re asking him: 'why me and I’m concerned for other people,'" Deputy Garcia said. "The victim in the case is so distraught, so hurt by this, I mean reading over the text messages that go back and forth, you know, you can’t explain this."
After pleading guilty to sex crimes, Flaker was put on a tether until sentencing. But on Jan. 24, police received an alert that his tether had been cut. They found the tether in the area of 22 Mile Road and Central Park in Shelby Township -- and Flaker was gone.
"At this point, he’s out there he’s on the run, he knows, he pleaded guilty, he knows what he did is wrong," said Deputy Garcia.
Michael Flaker is 6-feet tall, 240 pounds and is believed to have support helping him hide. He has connections to Northern Michigan, Illinois and Florida.
"He has money, he’s had jobs, he’s educated, he has careers, he has retirement," said Deputy Garcia. "We believe he is getting help from family who don’t want to cooperate or come forward."
Catching this predator is priority number one, according to the U.S. Marshals.
"In the law enforcement community, we’re fathers. I’m a father. We have children, and we take these cases seriously, and we will do whatever we need to do to locate this guy and find him, arrest him to make sure no other children are harmed at this guy's hands."
As always, there's a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest of Michael Flaker. You can call the U.S. Marshals anytime at (313) 234-5656.
