FLINT, MI -- A Flint-area psychotherapist is behind bars after authorities claim he sexually abused a patient who was referred to him by the court.

Hugh McQuade of Burton was arraigned Wednesday, April 29, on 14 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Authorities claim he coerced a Genesee County probationer into sex acts.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said the 46-year-old victim was on probation following her conviction on a felony cocaine charge and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation.

Pickell said the woman, who is not being named because she is the victim of an alleged sex crime, went to McQuade, who practiced at the Oakland Psychological Clinic, to fulfill the terms of her probation.

McQuade, 67, allegedly exposed his genitals to the woman while at the clinic, according to Pickell. The actions then allegedly evolved into groping and oral sex, the sheriff said.

Pickell said he believes there were at least 14 separate incidents of inappropriate sexual contact between McQuade and the victim.

"She was forced into doing it," Pickell alleged.

Representatives from the clinic declined to comment on the case. The clinic's website lists McQuade as a staff member at its 2222 S. Linden Road location in Flint Township.

Pickell said his office became aware of the allegations after the victim was arrested for violating her probation by having a drug relapse. The sheriff said McQuade was arrested within two hours of the victim notifying his office of the incident.

The victim is still in custody for the suspected probation violation.

A search warrant was executed and Pickell claimed his investigators discovered sexually explicit photos and videos involving McQuade and the victim.

There was no attorney listed on file for McQuade.

The incident remains under investigation, and Pickell said he believes at least one other woman may have been victimized.

"He's a wolf in sheep's clothing," Pickell said of McQuade.

McQuade is held on $20,000 bond for each count. The charges carry a mandatory 15-year minimum prison sentence if convicted.

Pickell said roughly half of McQuade's patients were court-referred.

Mental health treatment is often a key component when it comes to sentencing, and Pickell said allegations like this hurt the trust patients need to be successful with their rehabilitation.

"This system is a fragile system," Pickell said.

Genesee Chief Probate Judge Jennie E. Barkey oversees the county's mental health court and agreed that trust is an important component in a successful course of treatment.

While incidents such as this, if true, could damage a person's perception of mental health treatment, Barkey said, a large majority of people working with the mentally ill are caring, respectable individuals.

"There are a lot of good people in the mental health field," Barkey said, noting that she has never seen an incident such as this in her decade on the bench.

Barkey said underlying mental health issues are often a key cause as to why people commit crimes and end up in the criminal justice system. In order to prevent people from re-offending, she said it is necessary that people have access to adequate mental health treatment.

And, so far, the combination of medication and counseling has paid dividends for hundreds of people who have appeared before her.

"They transform in front of my eyes," Barkey said.