Sean M. Desjarlais

BAY CITY, MI -- A week before his trial was to begin, a former Bay County Jail corrections officer accused of molesting a female inmate opted to accept a plea deal, one that clears him of any sexual offense.

Sean M. Desjarlais, 44, on Thursday, March 26, appeared before Bay County Chief Circuit Court Judge Kenneth W. Schmidt and pleaded no contest to single counts of lying to a peace officer and attempted felonious assault. Both charges are high court misdemeanors punishable by up to two years' incarceration.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for the purposes of sentencing. Schmidt relied on police reports and court documents to enter convictions on the record.

In exchange for his pleas, the prosecution agreed to dismiss two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. That charge is a 15-year felony that is limited to sexualized touching, rather than penetration.

Desjarlais' trial was slated to begin Tuesday, March 31. He is represented by attorney Matthew L. Reyes.

"He unfortunately got caught in a situation where he lied to the police, and because of that he made his circumstances worse than they should have been," Reyes said. "He has always maintained he never did anything sexual with anyone at the jail. I think today's results verify that, but he still has to suffer consequences for lying to the police officers."

Desjarlais was arraigned on the criminal charges in August, following an investigation that began when a 30-year-old female inmate of the jail accused him of molesting her. In a December preliminary examination, the woman testified that she was in the jail from May 8 through July 11. Desjarlais worked the night shift at that time, she testified.

The night of June 11, the woman was in her cell with her cellmate when Desjarlais brought them coffee, she testified. The woman said she hugged and thanked him, and that he then kissed her and touched her inappropriately.

While on his rounds the next day, Desjarlais gave the woman a camera, which her cellmate used to snap provocative photos of her, the woman testified. Desjarlais later reclaimed the camera, she testified.

Desjarlais and the woman later that same shift engaged in another physical encounter, the woman testified.

Bay County Sheriff's Detective Matthew Pett also testified in December that he interviewed Desjarlais on July 14 and explained to him the nature of the allegations.

"He denied having any (physical) contact," Pett said. In a second interview, Pett said Desjarlais stated he received a kiss on the cheek and a hug from a female inmate, that he reciprocated, and that he flicked her nipple with his finger. Desjarlais' statements were recorded via audio and written down by investigators, then initialed by Desjarlais, Pett said.

Desjarlais is free on bond. Schmidt is to sentence him at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11.

Desjarlais resigned from the sheriff's office shortly after he was made aware of the charges against him, Undersheriff Troy Cunningham said.