Sex Offender from White Lake Arrested Following Incident at Walled Lake Central

A registered sex offender from White Lake was arrested Tuesday morning and arraigned in 52-1 District Cout in Novi on charges of a student safety zone violation after parents say he was filming a high school gymnastics tournament at Walled Lake Central High School in Commerce.

Bruce Allen Stanley, 45, is charged with loitering under the student safety zone law. According to the Michigan law, a registered sex offender cannot work or loiter within 1,000 yards of a school. The law defines loitering as, "to remain for a period of time and under circumstances that a reasonable person would determine is for the primary purpose of observing or contacting minors."

According to Oakland County Sheriff's Lt. Clay Jansson, Stanley was video taping the event when he was approached by a curious parent. Jansson said the parent asked if Stanley was the parent of one of the gymnast, he replied that he was not.

In a note home from the Walled Lake School district, obtained by WXYZ-TV Channel 7, Stanley was asked to stop video taping by that parent. He did not comply, the note states, and instead allegedly hid the camera under his coat and continued to tape. At that time, he was asked to leave. Jansson said police were also called, and after questioning Stanley they discovered he was a registered sex offender. The letter states that Stanley was then asked to leave, by police, and not come back.

In 1993, according to the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, Stanley was convicted in Florida of indecent exposure, and lewdly fondling or assaulting, committing or simulating sexual acts on or in the presence of a child younger than 16 in a lewd, lascivious or indecent manner.

The registry lists Stanley as a compliant offender, and he has a home address in White Lake.

If convicted, Stanley faces up to one year in jail, or a $1,000 fine.

Correction: The court is 52-1 District Court in Novi.