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While the investigation had nothing to do with his recent employment with Milan Police, Michael Couture has been terminated from that role.

MILAN — A Milan police officer has been suspended and terminated from the department after being charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving a minor.

Michael Couture, 47, of Manchester was a full-time police officer with Milan who also worked part-time with the Clinton Police Department since 1996.

Couture, a former liaison officer at Milan Area Schools, turned himself in to the Michigan State Police (MSP) at the Clinton police station July 12 on warrants issued by the Lenawee County Prosecutor's Office. He was arraigned in 2A District Court at the Lenawee County Courthouse later that day.

Couture was charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13, first-degree criminal sexual conduct multiple variable between ages 13-16, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13, second- degree criminal sexual conduct multiple variables between ages 13-16, and accosting children for immoral purposes with a child under 16.

Couture is accused of sexual conduct with a minor beginning in 2008 which continued for around a decade.

Bond for Couture was set at $250,000 — $50,000 per charge — which he posted through a bail bond agency.

A probable cause conference has been scheduled for 9 a.m. July 30 before the Lenawee County District Judge Jonathan and a preliminary examination is set for Aug. 6.

As part of Couture's bond condition, he is not allowed to contact the accuser, possess keys to the accuser's residence, possess weapons or have contact with anyone under 16 years old.

Couture was suspended and terminated from his employment at the Milan Police Department where he also once served as the school resource officer at Milan Area Schools.

"We are, and have been, aware of the criminal investigation," Milan Police Chief Don Tillery said. "Officer Couture was immediately removed from his assigned location and placed on administrative leave within 24 hours of our notification of the criminal investigation (and) his employment has now been terminated. This incident has no nexus to Officer Couture's duties as a Milan Police officer."

Milan Area Schools Superintendent Bryan Girbach said in a statement that Couture's arrest had nothing to do with his position as a school resource officer position. The victim was not a Milan student.

"Our team has been working with the police department to ensure the welfare of our children. At this time, there is no nexus to the school or Officer) Couture's former tenure as a school resource officer," Girbach said in the release.

Clinton Police Chief Tony Cuevas, who is a retired MSP Monroe Post commander, said Couture's employment at the Clinton department was suspended and terminated after the department was alerted by MSP on July 12 and after consultation with the department's legal counsel. Cuevas confirmed that the allegations against Couture were not connected to the performance of his job in Lenawee County.

"To my knowledge, when I spoke with the investigators from MSP, the victim at that time had nothing to do with his employment here at the village of Clinton or in Lenawee County, period, as far as law enforcement related," Cuevas said. "When he was taken into custody, it actually occurred here at the police department. He turned himself in and the detectives met him here to come down for an arraignment. He was very cooperative like I knew he would be."

State Police Detective Sgt. Michael Peterson of the Monroe post, who investigated the case, declined to comment.

Daily Telegram News Editor David Panian contributed to this story.