Ex-Rockwood Police Officer Arraigned On Sex Charges

ROCKWOOD (WWJ) - A former Rockwood Police Officer is facing multiple charges on accusations that he had inappropriate sexual contact with a prisoner.

Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy charged 33-year-old Christian Zieminski of Rockwood second degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth degree criminal sexual conduct and misconduct in office. He was released on a $20,000 bond and is due back in court on Sept. 10.

Worthy said Zieminski allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual contact using force or coercion with a female prisoner who was in his custody at the time.

"These are very serious allegations that, if proven to be true, undermine the trust which citizens must have in our police officers," Worthy said in a release. "We will treat Christian Zieminski just as we would any other defendant."

Zieminski, who had been with the Rockwood department since June 2007, was fired on July 6 after an investigation by Michigan State Police. It was the second time he had been fired from a law enforcement job on sexually related charges.

Zieminski was fired from the Brownstown Township Police Department in 2006, after police confirmed he had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old student while working as a liaison officer at Woodhaven High School. Police said no charges were filed because the student was older than the age of consent, which is 16 in Michigan, and because the actions were consensual.