Defendant James Brown was arraigned on felony charges associated with the following four Homicide Cases: Demesha Hunt, 25, and Renisha Landers, 24, Dead Bodies-Disinterment. Bond was set at $500,000 (cash). Natasha Curtis, 29, and Vernithea McCrary, 28, Dead Bodies-Disinterment, Arson of Real Property, Arson of Personal Property - $1000 or more but less than $20,000. Bond was set at $500,000 (cash).

DPD Chief Ralph Godbee applauds Crime Task Force for work in cracking the BackPage.com Escort murders

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - A task force consisting of Detroit Police Department, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies continued to investigate the deaths of four women whose bodies were found on the city’s east side in December, 2011. Investigators and the public remained diligent and watchful in regards to the Escort Investigation.

Defendant  James Brown (24) of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was arraigned on felony charges associated with the following four Homicide Cases:

Demesha Hunt, 25, and Renisha Landers, 24, Dead Bodies-Disinterment. Bond was set at $500,000 (cash). Natasha Curtis, 29, and Vernithea McCrary, 28, Dead Bodies-Disinterment, Arson of Real Property, Arson of Personal Property - $1000 or more but less than $20,000. Bond was set at $500,000 (cash).

Godbee suggested that the only barrier to murder charges is deciding where to file them. He believes the women were not killed in Detroit and possibly not in Wayne County. The Wayne County prosecutor's office handles crimes committed in Detroit.

In a statement released by Chief Ralph Godbee, he said, "This was just absolutely outstanding investigative police work by the Detroit Police Department and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners. I just hope that this arrest will bring some peace and closure to the families of Demesha Hunt, Renisha Landers, Natasha Curtis, and Vernithea McCrary.”

The Investigators began searching for evidence, and on May 1, 2012, around 6:00 a.m., in the area of 18 Mile and Mound Road, in the city of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Defendant James Brown (24) and another black male, aged 32, were arrested in regards to the BackPage.com Detroit Police investigation.

The 32-year-old male was released from police custody, and the investigators reports were submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The warrants were signed and issued.

Prosecutors have filed the first charges in the deaths of four Detroit women whose bodies were found in cars in December. James Brown of Sterling Heights is charged with moving the bodies and arson, but he's not charged with killing the women. The crimes carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.

The following entities’ invaluable contribution to this investigation and apprehension of Defendant Brown were the Detroit Police Homicide Redrum Task Force, which consist of members from Detroit Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and Michigan State Police; and the Violent Crime Task Force, which consist of members from Detroit Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Michigan State Police, Secret Service, Wayne County Sheriffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Michigan Department of Corrections, Detroit Public Schools Police Department and the Sterling Heights Police Department.