TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In the middle of a reported crime wave in Michigan and the rest of the country where accused criminals are being let out of jail as soon as they enter, Grand Traverse County
is not following suit.

Instead, they are making sure that an accused kidnapper and rapist remains behinds bars to keep the victim safe.

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Because of changed policies in cities all over the country, accused criminals are being let out of jail with no bond but Prosecutor Noelle Moeggenberg of Grand Traverse County made a move to protect the victim of a kidnapping and rape.

Moeggenberg asked Magistrate Tammi Rodgers in 86th District Court to deny bond to the alleged kidnapper during a video arraignment and the judge agreed. The prosecutor had told the judge that the defendant was a potential flight risk and needed to be held in jail for the safety of the woman who he allegedly assaulted.

Officials arrested 38-year-old Christopher Blaine Thomas over the weekend; he was arraigned on Monday on eight charges including aggravated stalking, kidnapping, torture, home invasion and four counts of criminal sexual conduct (first degree). Thomas pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After allegedly stalking a 30-year-old Blair Township woman for more than a decade, Thomas reportedly put trackers on her vehicle and deputies say that he entered her home through an unlocked door and forcibly removed her. He then took her to a sound proof bunker that he had built to hold her hostage for 13 hours and repeatedly raped her. The victim told investigators that he had gagged, duct-taped and handcuffed her wrist and ankles. The victim was taken to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City where she was treated for her injuries sustained from the restraints and released.

Moeggenberg said that the defendant had been previously convicted of stalking the same woman years ago.

During the court hearing, Moeggenberg had said that the defendant did extensive planning and told the court, “There was physical evidence. The detectives, Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department located the storage unit that the defendant had turned into a bunker which he had soundproofed…and rings on the wall where the victim stated she had been shackled.”

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The victim and the defendant have been reported as having met in college. The woman was able to talk the defendant into letting her go and he was later located at a Traverse City apartment that he was renting.

The court information on the district’s website lists Thomas’ attorney as Paul Jarboe through MIDC (Michigan Indigent Defense Commission) which was created in 2013 to ensure the state’s public defense system is fair, cost-effective and constitutional while simultaneously protecting public safety and accountability.

Thomas requested a court-appointed attorney at the arraignment but it was denied as court said that the defendant is not indigent. Jarboe said that the defendant intends to hire his own attorney. Thomas was also ordered not to have any contact with the victim in any manner whatsoever.

Assisting the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office with the case were the Michigan State Police, the Traverse City Police Department, Traverse Narcotics Team and the Northern Michigan Mutual Aid Task Force Emergency Response Team.

Thomas’ next court hearing is October 25th.

Blair Township seems to be a hotbed of criminality lately. Just last week, Michigan found firearms, drugs and a homemade bomb during a traffic stop in the township and placed a 33-year-old man under arrest for an outstanding warrant, delivery manufacture methamphetamine, felony firearm and possession of a short barreled shotgun with more charges expected.