CHARLEVOIX — Gabriel Blackledge, 23, of Boyne Falls was arrested by Charlevoix County Sheriff’s deputies on July 8 on multiple charges involving human trafficking and criminal sexual conduct.
The affidavit of probable cause contains testimony from the victims — five girls who were all 15 or younger during the incidents. They all describe being recruited to engage in sexual activity in exchange for drugs, alcohol and money.
One of the girls who was interviewed by a forensic interviewer at the Women’s Resource Center said she started having sexual intercourse with Blackledge when she was 14 and had sex with him approximately 15 times.
She described the multiple locations where the acts occurred — a residence near Vanderbilt, Blackledge’s parents' house in Boyne Falls, his vehicle and at a residence on Thumb Lake. Blackledge would purchase the victim alcohol and marijuana/THC vape prior to the acts and then give them to her afterwards.
Many of the girls said they were picked up by Blackledge and transported to a different location for the sexual activity.
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Several of the victims described Blackledge buying them things in exchange for sex, such as “weed, vapes, carts and alcohol." Carts are common slang for the cartridges that go into vapes, according to the affidavit.
One of the girls described sexual intercourse with Blackledge at his lake house where another male also participated. Each of the men had promised her $50 ($100 total) for the encounter. She wasn't paid the money but, instead, given rum.
When Blackledge was arrested, he initially denied the allegations, stating that he had never been alone with one of the victims. He then later admitted to sexual activity with one of the girls but claimed he thought she was 18 or older. He eventually admitted to knowing her age and still engaging in the sexual activity.
By July 10, Blackledge had admitted to numerous occasions of sexual intercourse with four of the girls and sexual activity with one.
While in custody at the Charlevoix County Jail, Blackledge told jail officials that he had “swallowed pills that he had been ‘cheeking’" in an effort to kill himself. He was taken to the hospital for medical clearance based on the alleged suicide attempt. He also told a deputy he had chemicals in his car that he planned to ingest to kill himself.
During the July 11 arraignment, Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Kit Tholen requested that Blackledge’s bond be revoked, citing the "extent and seriousness of the charges" and his "very serious concerns" about Blackledge’s suicide attempts.
90th District Court Judge Angela Lasher revoked the bond, noting that it is a "rare circumstance where the court denies bond," describing the allegations as "quite predatory" in nature.
Tholen said the human trafficking charges were centered around the transactional nature of the exchanges between Blackledge and the girls, and that he knowingly "recruited, enticed and transported minors for the purpose of sexual activity."
"These are extremely serious charges. I am very concerned about the extent of the behavior that has been presented to me. I also want to note that he is presumed innocent until proven guilty," said Tholen.
A preliminary examination was scheduled for July 30.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
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