Detroit Man Alleges Sexual Assaults by Staff at Juvenile Jail in Lawsuit

Detroit Man Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assaults at Juvenile Jail

Detroit, MI – A 22-year-old man has come forward with serious allegations against two staffers from Wayne County’s juvenile jail, claiming he was repeatedly raped during his teenage years while being held there. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit, details disturbing incidents that the man states took place between the ages of 14 and 17, from 2018 to 2022.

Details of the Allegations

According to the lawsuit, the man reported that one of the jail employees would often visit him in his room, bringing alcohol-scented drinks, candy, and other treats. He claims that these staffers used intimidation tactics, threatening him with solitary confinement and transfer to a maximum security adult prison if he revealed the sexual assaults.

The lawsuit alleges that the assaults occurred in an isolated area, often in a shower, where the victims were out of sight of cameras. The man describes how the staffers would label him a “troublemaker” to separate him from other detainees, making it easier for them to abuse him.

Legal Representation and Support

The man is represented by attorney Bertram Marks, who stated that the young man had not reported the assaults to law enforcement due to the pressure and threats he felt from the staffers. Marks has strongly encouraged him to pursue criminal charges against those responsible.

“The threats were very real to him,” Marks said. “Nobody really heard him. He just felt so alone and thought that this was something that nothing could be done about.”

Official Response and Background of the Facility

In response to the lawsuit, Wayne County spokesperson Doda Lulgjuraj stated, “Wayne County has no record of the incident(s) alleged in this complaint and will vigorously defend these unsubstantiated allegations.” Meanwhile, a representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lynn Sutfin, declined to comment directly on the lawsuit but expressed the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

The lawsuit names Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Elizabeth Hertel, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as defendants. This case follows ongoing reports of serious issues at the juvenile facility, such as overcrowding, understaffing, and previous allegations of abuse.

Previous Incidents and Concerns

The Free Press reported that incidents have arisen in the past, including a 12-year-old boy who claimed to have been raped by other residents in March 2023. This led to Evans declaring a rare health emergency to expedite hiring at the facility. Efforts to improve safety included transferring juveniles to a vacant adult jail, the William Dickerson Detention Facility, in Hamtramck and more recently to a new complex.

Marks alleges that both accused staff members have since been terminated, emphasizing that county officials were aware of previous allegations regarding these employees and their questionable backgrounds. He claims these known issues contributed to the man’s constitutional rights being violated, particularly his right to personal safety.

Other Allegations and Ongoing Issues

Recent reports have unearthed at least two more allegations involving staff members sexually assaulting juvenile detainees. Last week, two youths testified against a staff member who allegedly assaulted them in a private area of the facility.

Additionally, a state staff monitor was arrested earlier this year for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old male resident, although the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office later denied charges due to lack of evidence.

As this case unfolds, many are left questioning how such incidents could occur in a facility meant to rehabilitate and care for young individuals. Marks poignantly stated, “When you look at this young man, it is as if his soul has been snatched away from him.”

As the community watches closely, the growing allegations and ongoing investigations shed light on the disturbing reality within the juvenile justice system in Wayne County.