Police: Retired Cop Serial Rapist Had Up to 50 Child, Adult Victims

Two women have come forward and authorities in Flint expect more victims as word spreads that former Flint Police Sgt. Lawrence B. Woods has been charged with 16 counts of criminal sexual conduct. (Screenshot: WJRT-TV)

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A retired police sergeant raped upwards of 50 women and children while on duty from 1996-2000, authorities in the southeast Michigan city of Flint alleged at a news conference Friday after recovering “hundreds” of photos of victims snapped on police property and other locations.

Lawrence B. Woods, 66, was arraigned Friday in Flint’s 68th District Court Friday and charged with 16 felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, MLive/The Flint Journal reports. He is being held without bond in the Genesee County Jail.

Six of the charges were for the alleged rape of children under the age of 13, and some of them were 30-year-old, WJR and WEYI-TV report. Police believe Woods took the photos, which were date stamped, at his homes, in police vehicles, at the police station, and at a hotel.

“Now that his photo is out there, we are hoping people recognize him no matter how much older they are now.” – Flint Sgt. Karl Petrich

At a news conference Friday, Flint Police Chief James Tolbert said the large amount of child pornography seized was not “run of the mill.” Four search warrants were served at Woods’ residence and other addresses where he has been known to stay.

Two now-adult women told police that Woods forced them to have sex when they were underage. As the evidence seized in Thursday’s raids are processed, police are hopeful more more victims may come forward.

“Now that his photo is out there, we are hoping people recognize him no matter how much older they are now,” Flint Sgt. Karl Petrich said at the news conference.

Woods joined the Flint Police Department in 1975 and retired in 2000.

If convicted, Woods could spend up to life in prison. Each of the felony charges against him carries a minimum of 25 years in prison. He is next due in court for a pre-trial conference on Sept. 9. His preliminary examination is Oct. 2.

Woods’ attorney, Frank Manley, told MLive/The Flint Journal the allegations are “very serious,” and though it’s early into the investigation, “we expect to have a successful outcome.”