White Lake man charged with sexually exploiting 14-year-old after Southfield police investigation

A 23-year-old White Lake man, Christopher Abela, was charged with multiple felonies related to the alleged sexual exploitation of a 14-year-old minor through Snapchat. The Southfield Police Department, in partnership with the Oakland County Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, conducted an investigation leading to charges including criminal sexual conduct and possession of child sexually abusive material. Abela was granted a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance in August 2026.