West Bloomfield Township — Board of Trustees member Jim Manna has been in jail since Sunday, with township and Oakland County Sheriff’s officials declining Thursday to say why the Democrat was arrested or why he was being held beyond the 48-hour window authorities are allowed to detain suspects without charging them.
Manna, a 65-year-old real estate broker, was incarcerated in the Oakland County Jail Thursday while Oakland County Sheriff’s detectives investigated unnamed allegations against him, spokesman Tyler Sweers said.
Manna was arrested by West Bloomfield Township police, with county detectives later picking up the case, Sweers said.
“West Bloomfield police initially had the case, then they deferred it to us,” Sweers said. “We immediately started an investigation.”
Charges must be brought within 48 hours of an arrest unless police can present an emergency reason for holding the person beyond that time period, as required under a 1991 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Sweers said Thursday he’d asked investigators why Manna was still in jail Thursday without being charged, although he said his question hadn’t been answered.
Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Jeff Wattrick said Thursday sheriff’s investigators have submitted a warrant request seeking charges against Manna, and that it was under review.
Township Supervisor Jonathan Warshay said he was aware of Manna’s arrest, although he didn’t know the details. Manna was first elected in November 2024.
“Trustee Jim Manna was arrested Sunday night, Aug. 9,” Warshay said in a statement. “At this time, we have no further information regarding the charges or the circumstances surrounding the arrest. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as additional verified information becomes available.
“I encourage everyone to respect our judicial process and remember the fundamental principle that every individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” Warshay said. “Township business will continue as usual while our focus remains on serving those who live, work and visit West Bloomfield.”
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: West Bloomfield trustee in jail with no charges. Officials mum on why
Reporting by George Hunter, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By George Hunter, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
