ROSEVILLE, Mich. – A Wayne County sheriff’s deputy has been suspended after prosecutors say she yelled racial slurs and threw a pillow at a person at a Marshalls store in Roseville.
Tenia Fleming, 44, has been charged with ethnic intimidation, a 2-year felony, and assault, a 93-day misdemeanor. Prosecutors said she assaulted the victim on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023.
The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said they only learned on Thursday, March 15, that Fleming is a Wayne County sheriff’s deputy. She had been charged under her married name, but uses her maiden name with the department.
Prosecutor’s alerted the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Fleming has since been suspended without pay pending an investigation. Prosecutors said the sheriff’s office’s internal affairs department is cooperating with the prosecutor’s office.
A probable cause conference was set for Wednesday, March 13, but was adjourned after Fleming’s attorney requested discovery in the case. Discovery is the process of exchanging information between prosecution and defense about witnesses and the evidence that will be presented at trial.
The probable cause conference has been rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 3.