Prison Guard Charged With Lying In Jessica Heeringa Disappearance Probe

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A prison officer has been charged with lying to police in the case of a cousin who is a suspect in the disappearance of a gas station clerk in western Michigan.

Kevin Bluhm appeared in a Muskegon County court on Tuesday. He's been charged twice this week with lying to police.

Bluhm is the cousin of Jeffrey Willis, who is charged with abducting a teen and killing a jogger. Willis is also being investigated in the disappearance of Jessica Heeringa, who's been missing since April 2013.

Prosecutor Matt Roberts says Bluhm has admitted lying to police in all three investigations when asked about Willis. He says the details are "significant." The Muskegon Chronicle says bond was set at $100,000.

Bluhm is hiring an attorney.

Heeringa hasn't been seen since just before she was closing up an Exxon Station where she worked in Norton Shores on April 26, 2013.

Investigators have said they think the young mother was taken against her will by someone she likely knew. There was no indication of a robbery, as Heeringa's purse, vehicle and other items were left behind at the scene. DNA testing showed a small amount of blood found outside the gas station belonged to Heeringa.

Hundreds of tips have been investigated and a cash reward topping $21,000 is being offered in the case.

Last Friday, police were reportedly combing an area near the Willis' home, presumably for her remains. Nothing turned up, however, and police have been pretty much mum on any new leads.

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