Emmett Township Home Searched In Connection With Child Rape Case

On Friday afternoon, Battle Creek Police and the Emmett Township Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant of a home in Emmet Township as part of an investigation into the alleged repeated rape of a four year old boy.

The Battle Creek Enquirer said that no one was in the home at the time. The home is located in the 8600 block of G Drive North in Emmett Township. Authorities searched multiple buildings including several outbuildings and a couple of mobile homes that sit about a quarter of a mile from the road.

Authorities said they had information showing that 45 year old Donald Johnston may have stayed on the property.

Johnston is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child under the age of 13. Investigators allege Johnston raped a 4-year-old boy numerous times over the last year. He is also the ninth suspect arrested in connection to a child porn and abuse ring in Branch, Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties.

Investigators found almost 50 pages of graphic text messages on Johnston’s phone detailing the abuse he’s accused of committing along with his plans to victimize other children.