A former Southfield Public Schools music teacher has been charged with several counts of criminal sexual assault involving children.
Lamar Willis, 41, is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of accosting children for immoral purposes.
One of the criminal sexual conduct charges involves a child under the age of 13, according to court records.
Charges were filed Dec. 18 in Southfield’s 46th District Court. According to court documents, the offenses occurred in January 2022.
The district sent a letter notifying parents on Dec. 18, explaining that school officials started investigating allegations against Willis in March 2023. He resigned in June.
Willis was employed at MacArthur K-8 University Academy.
“We are deeply troubled by today’s arraignment of Lamar Willis, a former Southfield Public Schools employee,” the district said in the letter. “We take this situation seriously and cooperate fully with law enforcement in their investigation.”
“In June 2023, Mr. Willis resigned and since that time has had no known contact with Southfield Public School students or staff,” the letter said.
Willis was later hired by Detroit Public Schools Community District and subsequently placed on administrative leave there on Dec. 15.
Willis’ next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 1 for a probable cause conference before District Judge Cynthia Arvant. Bond was set at $15,000 by Magistrate Melissa King.