Great Lakes Wire

A former corrections officer at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Joshua Lee, age 22, from Wyandotte, has been charged with four counts of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct involving state prisoners. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The arraignment took place on October 30 before Magistrate Odetalla M. Odetalla in the 14A-2 District Court in Ypsilanti. The case was referred to the Michigan Department of Attorney General by the Michigan State Police.

According to the allegations, Lee engaged in multiple sexual acts with several inmates while employed at the facility. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel acknowledged the efforts of both agencies involved: "I want to thank both the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Michigan State Police for their swift action in investigating these allegations," Nessel said. "Everyone deserves protection from sexual abuse, and Michigan has laws in place to keep people safe in our correctional facilities. My office will continue to hold accountable those who seek to use their positions of authority to abuse those under their care."

The complaint includes allegations of sexual penetration by a corrections officer. Current state law criminalizes sexual contact by corrections staff but does not specifically address acts of penetration. As a result, such offenses are prosecuted under Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes regardless of whether they involve contact or penetration.

Attorney General Nessel expressed her intent for legislative change: "Our laws should match the severity of the crime, and this type of alleged sexual misconduct by corrections staff is a serious violation," she said. "Updating these statutes will strengthen protections for inmates and ensure that penalties appropriately match the offense." Nessel hopes that lawmakers will amend existing statutes so that First and Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct charges can be applied explicitly when corrections officers are accused of sexual penetration.

Lee's next court appearance is scheduled before Judge J. Cedric Simpson at the 14A-1 District Court on November 6.

Authorities emphasized that criminal charges are allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court proceedings. Booking photos will not be released by the department.