Post by CC on Mar 27, 2009 14:56:35 GMT -5
For the second time in a month, a Macomb County Sheriff’s employee has run into trouble with the law. A corrections officer has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a woman in an off-duty incident.
Leonard Olear, who works at the Macomb County Jail, has been named in an arrest warrant issued by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charging him with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Olear, 28, of Macomb Township, is expected to be arraigned March 18 in 41B District Court in Clinton Township. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to Clinton Township police, Olear is accused of having non-consensual intercourse with a female acquaintance in January in his home. The alleged victim is a Macomb County woman in her mid-20s.
“We conducted our investigation just as we would have with anyone else,” said Detective Capt. Richard Maierle. “Mr.
Olear did not receive any special treatment from this department.”
Olear, who has worked for the county for the past four years, is not considered a flight risk and remains free pending his arraignment, police said.
Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel declined to comment on the allegations against Olear, who has been suspended without pay.
“We have had an internal investigation under way and I can’t comment on this as a personnel matter at this point,” Hackel said. “Due to the severity of the criminal charges, however, I felt a suspension from his position was warranted.”
Defense attorney Stephen Rabaut described Olear as a “highly respected officer” on the corrections staff, and predicted the case won’t stand up in court.
“After reviewing the police reports, I am frankly surprised that he was charged with CSC. I think that’s unfortunate. But after litigating this matter and when the dust settles, I believe he will be exonerated,” Rabaut said.
Olear is the son of Sgt. Michael Olear of the Macomb Township Fire Department. He could not be reached for comment on Friday.
This is the second time in recent weeks a sheriff’s department employee has been accused of breaking the law.
Lt. Joseph Guzdziol, the head of the sheriff’s selective enforcement team, has been charged with several crimes stemming from an incident in Bay County.
Guzdziol stood mute Friday at his arraignment in 74th District Court in Bay City on charges of drunken driving, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and drunken driving with a minor in the vehicle.
He is free on a $10,000 bond and also has been suspended without pay by the Macomb County sheriff.
Leonard Olear, who works at the Macomb County Jail, has been named in an arrest warrant issued by the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office charging him with third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Olear, 28, of Macomb Township, is expected to be arraigned March 18 in 41B District Court in Clinton Township. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to Clinton Township police, Olear is accused of having non-consensual intercourse with a female acquaintance in January in his home. The alleged victim is a Macomb County woman in her mid-20s.
“We conducted our investigation just as we would have with anyone else,” said Detective Capt. Richard Maierle. “Mr.
Olear did not receive any special treatment from this department.”
Olear, who has worked for the county for the past four years, is not considered a flight risk and remains free pending his arraignment, police said.
Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel declined to comment on the allegations against Olear, who has been suspended without pay.
“We have had an internal investigation under way and I can’t comment on this as a personnel matter at this point,” Hackel said. “Due to the severity of the criminal charges, however, I felt a suspension from his position was warranted.”
Defense attorney Stephen Rabaut described Olear as a “highly respected officer” on the corrections staff, and predicted the case won’t stand up in court.
“After reviewing the police reports, I am frankly surprised that he was charged with CSC. I think that’s unfortunate. But after litigating this matter and when the dust settles, I believe he will be exonerated,” Rabaut said.
Olear is the son of Sgt. Michael Olear of the Macomb Township Fire Department. He could not be reached for comment on Friday.
This is the second time in recent weeks a sheriff’s department employee has been accused of breaking the law.
Lt. Joseph Guzdziol, the head of the sheriff’s selective enforcement team, has been charged with several crimes stemming from an incident in Bay County.
Guzdziol stood mute Friday at his arraignment in 74th District Court in Bay City on charges of drunken driving, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and drunken driving with a minor in the vehicle.
He is free on a $10,000 bond and also has been suspended without pay by the Macomb County sheriff.