WAYNE COUNTY

Exam pushed back for cousins accused in kidnapping

Holly Fournier
The Detroit News

Lincoln Park — Two cousins had their preliminary examination adjourned Tuesday during a brief hearing on charges of kidnapping and sexual assault.

Fernando DeLon Anderson, 24, of Detroit and Fernando Delon Anderson, 19, of Lincoln Park are accused of approaching a 23-year-old Detroit woman around 11 p.m. March 30 while she was in her car on the 1700 block of Southfield in Lincoln Park, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.

They appeared Tuesday before 25th District Court Judge Gregory Clifton, in a courtroom less than a half-mile from where they allegedly kidnapped the victim.

The scheduled hearing was adjourned until May 17, to give the prosecution time to provide discovery materials to defense attorneys.

The officer in charge also wasn’t available Tuesday for testimony, according to the judge.

Prosecutors allege the two men attacked the victim after getting into her vehicle and demanding that she drive to a dead-end street in Detroit. The 24-year-old Anderson allegedly threatened her with a handgun during the ordeal.

Both men allegedly sexually assaulted the woman and then made her drive back to Lincoln Park. They took her cellphone and fled.

One of the suspects was captured on a surveillance camera buying cigarettes at an area gas station convenience store, according to officials.

Both Andersons face charges of criminal sexual conduct, robbery, kidnapping and felony firearm. They were arraigned last month and received bonds of $500,000.

Relatives of one of the men have claimed the woman was not raped, but met up with the men for sex. They alleged she reported the rape after the men did not pay for her services.

As the cousins were led from the courtroom Tuesday, supporters in the gallery called out, “love you,” to the two men. The group declined to comment following the hearing.

HFournier@detroitnews.com

(313) 223-4616

@HollyPFournier

Detroit News Staff Writers Nicquel Terry and Oralandar Brand-Williams contributed.