DETROIT – Prosecutors said a long-time Wayne County Sheriff's Department deputy walked into the Dearborn Police Department and admitted to sexually molesting a girl younger than 13.
UPDATE: Wayne County deputy charged with criminal sexual conduct
Thomas Pedersen, 48, wasn't arraigned Monday, but the warrant for his arrest and the charges against him were signed by a Downriver judge.
He is charged with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under 13 years of age and one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct. He arraigned Thursday in 33rd District Court before Judge Michael K. McNally in Woodhaven.
Pedersen admitted to sexually molesting the girl, according to officials.
From the prosecutor's office:
It is alleged that between 2010 and November, 2016 the defendant engaged in an ongoing pattern of inappropriate sexual conduct ...
The case was turned over to Brownstown Township for investigation because that's where the alleged abuse has been going on.
The Wayne County Sheriff's Office offered this statement on Thursday, stating Pedersen has been suspended without pay:
Pedersen was suspended without pay, his police powers have been suspended, and his security clearance to enter any Wayne County Sheriff’s Office facility has been revoked. In order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, Pedersen will not be housed in the Wayne County Jail pending his next court appearance or the posting of bond; rather, he will be held in the Oakland County Jail. Pedersen may be subject to future disciplinary action predicated on the outcome of his trial and a review of the investigation conducted by the Brownstown Police Department. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim and her family. Pedersen has been employed by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office since September of 1995, and he was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2012."
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