Another judge excuses himself in sex crime case involving teacher

Brandon Tomblin facing slew of charges in several cities for crimes involving teens

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – In an unusual move, a third judge has recused himself from a teacher sex-crimes case.

Former Wayne-Westland teacher Brandon Tomblin is facing sex charges involving a 16 year old boy.

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So far, Tomblin can't get his case heard in the 35th District Court in Plymouth. 

Two judges here have recused themselves from the case. The third and final judge at the court, Judge James Plakas, did the same thing Friday during a hearing.

Plakas said he doesn't know Tomblin and could rule on the case without bias. Yet, there is a tie here that has all three judges making certain there can be no appearance of any bias.

The defendant, Tomblin, has a stepfather. That stepfather is the brother of 35th District judge Thomas Geron.  All three judges say that link could mean anyone involved in the case could potentially accuse them of going to light on Tomblin or going to hard on him. 

Tomblin's attorney agrees with the judge's recusals, even though that means his client must wait in jail.

The case will be sent to the state court administrator's office. That office will re-assign the case to a judge in a different district.

Charges against former Wayne teacher:

Romulus charges:

Tomblin is accused of having sexual contact with a then 16-year-old Wayne Memorial High School student when he was a teacher there on or about May 2011 at a location on Henry Ruff Road near Ecorse Road in Romulus. He faces a criminal sexual conduct third degree charge in Romulus's 34th District Court.

Wayne charges:

In Wayne, Tomblin is accused of having sexual contact with a then 17-year-old Wayne Memorial High School student on or about May 2011 at the high school. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree and one count of criminal sexual conduct fourth degree in the 29th District Court.

Garden City charges:

Tomblin is accused of having sexual contact with a then 16-year-old and a then 17-year-old Wayne Memorial High School student on or about May 2011 at a home in Garden City. He is charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct third degree and two counts of criminal sexual conduct fourth degree in the 29th District Court.


About the Author:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.