GRAND Haven, Mich. -- A Grand Rapids judge has read formal charges against a 28-year-old Norton Shores man for alleged criminal sexual conduct involving a teenager.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says it began investigating Nicholas Phelps last August on reports of inappropriate contact between teenage students and a military recruiter.
Sheriff's detectives allege that prior to that, the suspect made contact with multiple females from area schools in the Grand Haven area, including inappropriate messaging. Phelps was arrested and arraigned on January 9th, and later bonded out of jail.
Anyone who may have been inappropriately contacted by Phelps should contact the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer.
Here are details from an OCSO news release:
On 1/9/2026 Nicholas was arraigned in front of the Honorable Judge Bunce in the Grand Haven 58th district court and received a $35,000 cash surety bond. Phelps subsequently posted bond. This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information of who may have had inappropriate contact with Phelps is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
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Nicholas Phelps mug shot.Photo: Courtesy: Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.