Capitol News

A former corrections officer at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility, Joshua Lee, 22, of Wyandotte, has been charged with four counts of Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct (State Prisoner), each carrying a potential 15-year sentence. The charges were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel following Lee's arraignment on October 30 before Magistrate Odetalla M. Odetalla in the 14A-2 District Court in Ypsilanti.

Lee is accused of engaging in multiple sexual acts with several prisoners during his employment at the facility. The case was referred to the Department of Attorney General by the Michigan State Police.

“I want to thank both the Michigan Department of Corrections and the Michigan State Police for their swift action in investigating these allegations,” Nessel said. “Everyone deserves protection from sexual abuse, and Michigan has laws in place to keep people safe in our correctional facilities. My office will continue to hold accountable those who seek to use their positions of authority to abuse those under their care.”

The accusations include acts of sexual penetration. While current Michigan law criminalizes sexual contact by corrections officers, there is no specific statute addressing sexual penetration by staff. This means that officers can be prosecuted under Second-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes for both contact and penetration offenses. Attorney General Nessel expressed hope that lawmakers will revise state law so that First and Third-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes explicitly address sexual penetration by corrections staff.

“Our laws should match the severity of the crime, and this type of alleged sexual misconduct by corrections staff is a serious violation,” Nessel continued. “Updating these statutes will strengthen protections for inmates and ensure that penalties appropriately match the offense.”

Lee is scheduled for his next court appearance before Judge J. Cedric Simpson in the 14A-1 District Court on November 6, 2025.

Authorities remind the public that criminal charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Booking photos are not provided by the department.