The Westland man faces six felony counts and has been barred from Northville Public Schools property following his arrest.
WARREN, MI — A 44-year-old Westland man who worked as a contracted janitor in Northville schools faces six felony charges after police arrested him at a Warren motel where investigators say he expected to meet an 11-year-old girl for sexual purposes.
Shane Michael Burhans was arraigned in 37th District Court following an encounter involving Predator Poachers, a civilian group that confronts adults it suspects of seeking sexual contact with minors online. Authorities allege Burhans had been communicating with someone he believed was an 11-year-old girl before traveling to the motel. Police arrested him after responding to the location. The charges remain allegations, and the court case is pending.
Court and police information reported by local news organizations shows Burhans faces six felony counts. They include child sexually abusive activity, aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and accosting or soliciting a minor for immoral purposes, along with three computer-related charges. The potential maximum penalties vary by count, with one of the computer-crime charges carrying a possible sentence of up to 20 years if he is convicted.
The case began with the civilian group’s online communications and subsequent confrontation with Burhans at the motel. Predator Poachers founder Alex Rosen said the group believed Burhans had tried to arrange a hotel room for the person he thought was a child. Warren police later took Burhans into custody. Claims made by the civilian group about the communications and confrontation are separate from findings that would have to be established in court.
Burhans’ work in Northville schools drew additional attention after his arrest. Northville Public Schools said he was employed by GRBS Inc., a company that provides contracted custodial services to the district. According to the district, Burhans had worked in Northville for about six months and was assigned to evening custodial shifts at Silver Springs Elementary School before more recently working at Northville High School.
The district said GRBS terminated Burhans after being notified of his arrest by law enforcement. Northville Public Schools also said he is permanently barred from district property. GRBS said it was aware of the allegations and had worked with the school district to make sure appropriate protocols were followed. The company said it had no further comment.
Nothing in the information released by the district or authorities cited in news reports alleges that a Northville student was involved in the motel case. The reported allegations center on online communications with a person Burhans allegedly believed was an 11-year-old girl and his subsequent trip to Warren. Authorities have not publicly disclosed evidence establishing that an actual child was involved in those communications.
Burhans was being held in the Macomb County Jail with bond set at $300,000 cash or surety, according to court information reported Friday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 22. Available court records reviewed by news organizations did not list an attorney for him as of Friday.
The criminal case remains pending in Warren’s 37th District Court. Prosecutors will have to prove the charges in court, and no determination of guilt has been made.
Author note: Last updated October 18, 2026.