TRAVERSE CITY — A 36-year-old man who works for the Grand Traverse County IT Department was charged on suspicion of non-consensual touching of another county employee.
Michigan State Police troopers arrested Chemoy Khrishna Jarrett on Thursday. He was arraigned in 86th District Court early Friday afternoon via video link, Magistrate Sarah Carter presiding. Bond was set at $15,000.
Jarrett was charged on suspicion of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a $500 fine. If convicted, he could also be placed on the state’s sex offender registry.
Because of a possible conflict of interest with GTC prosecutors, the Michigan Attorney General’s office referred the case to Benzie County Prosecutor Sara Swanson.
On Jan. 30, the court worker reported the incident to the GTC Human Resources Department, according to an email from Nate Alger to county board members, dated April 10.
Jarrett was subsequently suspended from work for two days, according to county HR documents.
The charges against Jarrett stem from an incident in late January when a court employee said he allegedly touched her in an inappropriate manner that involved unwelcome hugging and groping. He was visiting the court office in response to a computer problem when it happened, according an MSP investigation report, which was completed on March 6.
The court employee told investigators that Jarrett also whispered into her ear: “I’ve missed you so much and I know you’ve missed me,” the report said.
In that report, the court employee said other staff members had also complained about feeling uncomfortable around Jarrett, and that he was barred from certain offices as a result.
When an MSP trooper interviewed Jarrett, he confirmed that he and the court employee don’t normally hug. He also said other witnesses in the office at the time were exaggerating what happened, the report said.
According to online documents from the 86th District Court, a probable cause conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 24.
On May 1 at 11 a.m., Judge Michael Stepka is scheduled to hold a preliminary examination in the case.