WAYLAND -
A 24-year-old Kentwood man was arrested on five counts of criminal sexual conduct over the weekend, accused of having sex with high school aged girls while he was a church volunteer in Wayland.
Wayland police have identified three victims and believe there have been more.
Wayland Police Chief Daniel Miller announced Sunday that Shawn Birman of Kentwood had been arrested and arraigned on four felony sex charges -- one count of first-degree CSC and three counts of second-degree CSC -- as well as one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree CSC.
Birman is awaiting a preliminary examination in 57th District Court in Allegan.
The investigation dates to 2008 when Birman was a volunteer at a band camp that several Wayland band students attended. He said Birman got to know the youngsters and stayed in contact with them after the camp concluded via cell phone or computer through social networking sites. The three victims were sexually assaulted while students at Wayland High School, Miller said.
Birman had access to a Voice of Hope church office where he said he was the "director of music ministries" as well as at the Brightside Church that uses a building downtown where he said he was a "youth counselor for the Life Line program." Birman allegedly told the victims that the program was for high school students to join and talk about things on their mind and that counselors such as himself could talk with them to teach them to stay positive as well as to talk about God.
The sexual assaults occurred at a private residence, an apartment and both church locations, Miller said.
Wayland Police believe there are more victims. Anyone with any information about the case is being asked to call the Wayland Police Department at (269) 792-9366.
Wayland police have identified three victims and believe there have been more.
Wayland Police Chief Daniel Miller announced Sunday that Shawn Birman of Kentwood had been arrested and arraigned on four felony sex charges -- one count of first-degree CSC and three counts of second-degree CSC -- as well as one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree CSC.
Birman is awaiting a preliminary examination in 57th District Court in Allegan.
The investigation dates to 2008 when Birman was a volunteer at a band camp that several Wayland band students attended. He said Birman got to know the youngsters and stayed in contact with them after the camp concluded via cell phone or computer through social networking sites. The three victims were sexually assaulted while students at Wayland High School, Miller said.
Birman had access to a Voice of Hope church office where he said he was the "director of music ministries" as well as at the Brightside Church that uses a building downtown where he said he was a "youth counselor for the Life Line program." Birman allegedly told the victims that the program was for high school students to join and talk about things on their mind and that counselors such as himself could talk with them to teach them to stay positive as well as to talk about God.
The sexual assaults occurred at a private residence, an apartment and both church locations, Miller said.
Wayland Police believe there are more victims. Anyone with any information about the case is being asked to call the Wayland Police Department at (269) 792-9366.
