Sheriff: Jail doctor gave candy, tobacco to inmate in exchange for sex acts

A jailhouse doctor in Macomb County is facing felony charges for allegedly touching several inmates inappropriately. Videos and photos on his cell phone helped investigators prove their case, Macomb County Sheriff Anthonty Wickersham said Friday morning at a press conference.

Dr. Steven Cogswell is facing six counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, a 15 year felony, for what prosecutors describe as an outrageous abuse of power. He turned himself in to authorities and is expected to be arraigned Friday afternoon. 

"Obviously, I'm not happy that this occurred," Wickersham said at the news conference. 

He said authorities are aware of three victims right now, all females in their late 20s or early 30s. They're from Sterling Heights, Port Huron and Roseville. 

"We received a note ... from one of the inmates reference the complaint.," Wickersham said. "During that investigation we discovered a third inmate that made the same allegation."

The doctor was employed by Correct Care Solutions, the company contracted to handle the medical care of inmates at the jail. It is alleged that during the 38 or so days that he worked there, the 53-year-old touched the women inappropriately, and even gave one candy and tobacco in exchange for sexual acts.

"Our detectives executed search warrants at his home and seized his phone, where we located evidence on his phone of some of the encounters with some of these inmates," Wickersham said.

At least three officers were around the jail area performing their day-to-day duties when the alleged incidents took place. However, we are told the screen to the exam room was closed at the time, presumably blocking their view.

Dr. Cogswell has since been fired from Correct Care Solutions. The company is currently looking over its policies so something like this doesn't happen again. 

"We're going to make sure other people are in the exam rooms during certain examinations," Wickersham added.