Court Update: Dunham Lake Groping Case on Docket for Next Week

A 40-year-old Highland Township man who is facing charges that accuse him of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old girls on Dunham Lake will be back in Livingston County's 53rd District Court 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to court records.

John D. Carpenter faces two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly touched one of the girl’s breasts and the other girl’s buttocks on a platform in the middle of the lake, according to state police. He was arraigned a week ago and had a court date adjourned this week, court records show. He is free on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Police said Carpenter began swimming out with a female companion near the two victims and three others at about 6:30 p.m. June 4 when the incidents occurred. The teens did not know the him, police said.

The lake is on the east central side of Hartland Township and straddles the border with Oakland County.

The Livingston County Prosecutor's Office authorized the charges following an investigation. Public tips helped identify the man when a photo taken at the scene with his image was distributed to the media, according to police.