NILES — We are learning disturbing details about what happened the night a 17-year-old victim said she was forced to perform multiple sex acts in order to stop a sex video from appearing on Facebook. The criminal complaint explains each teen's role in the alleged crime.
In the Niles High School yearbook, it was easy to see five high school students, some of them stand-outs on the athletic fields.
In a flash, 18-year-olds Leon Murphy, Martise Washington, Trey Nichols, Parnell Martin and 17-year-old Martell Miller could lose it all.
The five teens are still in Berrien County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.
They will appear in court to enter a plea on May 20. A preliminary exam conference has been scheduled on May 24.
Court documents are giving us a snapshot of what happened on March 18, the date the 17-year-old victim told investigators she was threatened by the five young men.
We want to caution those who are younger or sensitive against reading the following details from the criminal complaint.
The victim told investigators she learned she was videotaped having sex with Martise Washington.
She told officers if she didn't participate in various sex acts, the teens would post the video on Facebook.
Martin faces one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, one count of extortion and one count of possessing child pornography.
The victim said she was forced to perform oral sex on Martin in a car.
According to the criminal complaint, Martin allegedly admitted the victim gave him oral sex because she believed he had a video of her and Washington having sex.
Washington faces one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, one count of extortion and one count of producing child pornography and one count of surveilling unclothed persons.
The victim said she was forced to have sex with Washington against her wishes. In the criminal complaint, Washington said the sex was consensual.
Martell Miller, only 17, faces two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. Each count carries a maximum life sentence. He also faces an extortion charge and one count of possessing child pornography.
The victim said she was forced to perform oral sex on him. Miller reportedly told investigators he penetrated her with his hands and received oral sex.
Leon Murphy faces two counts of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree. Each count carries a maximum life sentence. He also faces an extortion charge and two counts of possessing child pornography.
Investigators found nude photos of underage girls on his cell phone.
In the complaint, Murphy said he also had sex with the victim and she performed oral sex on him. He allegedly admitted the victim performed those acts because of the video.
Trey Nichols faces 8 counts — three counts of producing child pornography, one count of extortion, one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree — which carries a maximum life sentence. He was also charged with three counts of surveilling unclothed persons.
Investigators found nude photos and videos of ex-girlfriends under the age of 18 on his phone.
He's also accused of filming the victim and Washington having sex in his bedroom.
Nichols reportedly admitted to setting up the camera and recording the video before the victim and Martise Washington had sex.
