(WXYZ) — A person of interest in the death of Detroit teen London Thomas was taken into custody Saturday in Novi for a charge in an unrelated case.
VIDEO: Watch the report about the arrest below
The 23-year-old was arrested for allegedly filing a false police report a year ago, according to the family's attorney.
The attorney says police are making arrests for a case they're not prepared to bring to court.
On Friday, the man's mother, Charla Pendergrass, was arraigned on a charge in connection London's death. Charla was charged with lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation.
"If you go back to even yesterday, think about this: Your cameras here at Channel 7 were the only ones out front when Charla Pendergrass was arrested. And when have you ever seen, again, they did the perp walk. Normal protocol is, you know, you take somebody through the Sally Port. They want to do everything they can to destroy the reputation of my clients to make their case, a case which they do not have," said Defense attorney Terry L. Johnson.
Watch Randy Wimbley's report:
During the arraignment, Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Anna Merigian told the court that there is video evidence to show Pendergrass lied to police.
Watch the full arraignment of Charla Pendergrass below:
Pendergrass' attorney entered a not guilty plea on her behalf during the arraignment. The judge set bond at $50,000 cash surety and said she would need to have a GPS tether and no contact with any witnesses if released on bond.
"Between April 5, 2025, and April 24, 2025, it is alleged that Defendant Pendergrass failed to tell the truth to FBI agents while they were conducting a criminal investigation into the death of London Thomas. Aspects of the case currently remain under investigation and no further information will be released at this time," according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
Pendergrass' probable cause conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 7.
On Friday, Thomas' family reacted to the arraignment.
"I want justice for my granddaughter, and I know she's lying. I know she has something to do with my granddaughter's death," Thomas’ grandmother Jestina Martin said.
Previous report: Suspects in London Thomas' death in custody, attorney calls investigation troubling:
Johnson has said neither of his two clients is the right person. The pair were reportedly originally taken into custody and transported to the Detroit Detention Center Saturday night after investigators found 17-year-old Thomas’ body.
Previous report: 2 suspects in custody after body of missing teen London Thomas found in Southfield
Thomas was last seen April 5 in Inkster and reported missing three days later. A 23-year-old man with whom Thomas was in a relationship with and whose home was raided two weeks ago in connection to the case is believed to be the last person to see her alive.
Previous report: FBI and police raid Inkster home of missing teen London Thomas' boyfriend
Thomas’ body was found inside a parked white SUV in Southfield last weekend. Neighbors told 7 News Detroit the SUV had been parked there for two weeks, but no one knew how it got there.
