Ex-Macomb County Jail doctor accused of trading candy for inmate sex
A doctor at the Macomb County Jail is accused of trading candy and cigarettes for a sex act with an inmate and having inappropriate contact with other prisoners, authorities said Friday.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Steven Cogswell of Waterford had encounters with three inmates in September and October.
Cogswell turned himself in Friday morning and is expected to be arraigned on six counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct at 41B District Court in Clinton Township.
The victims were 27, 29 and 31 years old. They were from Port Huron, Roseville and Sterling Heights, respectively.
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Cogswell, 53, touched two of the women's genital areas in a sexual manner. One of the women performed sexual acts on Cogswell in exchange for candy and tobacco, Wickersham said. The incidents happened in an examination room.
“We received a note from one of the inmates referencing this complaint,” Wickersham said at a news conference Friday. "When this allegation came to light, we immediately jumped on it."
Cogswell was employed by Correct Care Solutions, which provides medical care for inmates in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb, said Wickersham.
Cogswell saw about 20-30 patients a day at the Macomb County Jail, Wickersham said. He was first employed on Aug. 8., his last day was at the jail was Sept. 14.
Police seized Cogswell's phone and found explicit videos and photos involving the inmates he assaulted.
"In today's society, video evidence is pretty strong," Wickersham said.
Wickersham said the Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation looking into any other cases of sexual misconduct by Cogswell and none were found.
“If there are any other complaints, please come forward,” said Wickersham.
There were no formal complaints or disciplinary actions listed for Cogswell's name in an online search with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. A medical doctor license was issued in 1999 and expires in 2021, according to the records.
Correct Care Solutions has worked in the Macomb County Jail since 2011 — its contract expires at the end of this year, Wickersham said.
"They were the only health care provider that responded to the bid (three years ago)," Wickersham said.
Wickersham said the department is working with Correct Care Solutions on protocol changes.
"(Correct Care Solutions) is working on policy to make sure there are other people in the examination rooms during some examinations," he said.
Contact Omar Abdel-Baqui: 313-222-2514 or oabdel-baqui@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @omarabdelb