Michigan man charged for soliciting a child in Indiana

UPDATE: This story has been updated with information from Mason Mayor Russell Whipple.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The now-former vice chair of Mason’s Planning Commission is in the Wells County Jail in Indiana after being arraigned on charges including soliciting a child “to engage in sexual intercourse.”

Seth A. Waxman was charged in Wells Circuit Court, before Judge Kenton Kiracofe, Monday morning on three charges. He faces a charge of child solicitation — solicitation to engage in sexual intercourse or other conduct ; a charge of legend drug deception, knowingly possesses a contraband legend drug; and possession of a controlled substance.

Waxman is currently in the Wells County jail in Indiana, just outside of Fort Wayne, IN. He was arrested by the Bluffton, IN police department, an official confirmed Monday evening.

Mason Mayor Russell Whipple tells 6 News Waxman submitted his resignation, effective immediately, Monday afternoon via email. He tells 6 News the resignation was sent from Waxman’s email address to Whipple’s email. Whipple had no further comment.

Waxman resigned from the Planning Commission Monday afternoon, Mason City Councilwoman Rita Vogel tells 6 News by text message.

Vogel has known Waxman since they were students at Mason Middle School. She issued the following statement in response to news of his arrest:

“Recently I was made aware of the arrest of Seth Waxman, vice-chair of the Mason Planning Commission and my friend, in the city of Bluffton, Indiana. Details are few but I want to note that I believe survivors and will always stand with victims of sexual trafficking. While we think we may know good friends, many of us know that some people can hide very deep dark secrets. I am as shocked as many of you that this has occurred. I had no knowledge of any transgression prior and would have taken seriously reports of this nature because I stand with survivors,” she wrote in a text to 6 News. “Until additional information comes to light, I will have no further comment on this matter.”

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