goingon



Kidnapping Suspects Enter Pleas
By: Mike Stiles - Tuesday, June 18, 2019

David Bailey (top) and Talia Furman (bottom) (photos courtesy of Branch Co. Sheriff's Department)

(COLDWATER) – Two of the four people arrested for allegedly plotting to kidnap and rape a child have entered guilty pleas.

According to Branch County Circuit Court Officials, 37 year old David Lee Bailey of Coldwater and 33 year old Talia Furman of Springfield both plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit first degree criminal sexual conduct and conspiracy to commit kidnapping on Monday.

They, along with 33 year old Matthew Toole of Battle Creek and 19 year old Jayme LaPoint of Athens were arrested in September of 2018 following an investigation by Michigan State Police. Authorities uncovered a plot by the four to kidnap, torture and sexually assault a young child.

Bailey and Furman will be sentenced August 26. LaPoint will have a plea hearing on July 15. No trial date has been set for Toole in Branch County.

Earlier this year, Toole and Furman were sentenced in Calhoun County. They were arrested in August 2018 on multiple charges by Michigan State Police. They were among a group of people arrested as part of a child pornography ring, and for raping young children.

Toole was sentenced to 50 to 140 years after pleading no contest to charges of two counts of criminal sexual conduct. Furman was sentenced to 25 to 70 years. She plead no contest to first degree criminal sexual conduct.

MORE HEADLINES

>> News Archive