Former student success worker bound over
Former Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency employee Debra Russ, 32, of Millersburg has been bound over to the 53rd Circuit Court. She waived her preliminary examination in 89th District Court Tuesday on a charge of criminal sexual conduct third degree.
Russ, who worked in the Onaway public schools and Presque Isle Academy as a success worker, is alleged of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old male student under her supervision.
Officers from the Huron Under Cover Narcotics Team (HUNT) learned of the alleged relationship while investigating the theft of handguns from Parrott?s Outpost.
According to a HUNT press release, Ronald Guenther, 17, moved into her home, and she had acquired guardianship and power of attorney over him. The investigation would later reveal that Russ and the student were allegedly involved in a sexual relationship.
Although Michigan’s legal age of consent is 16, state law specifies that it is a felony for school employees to engage in a sexual relationship with any student who is under 18. A conviction for this crime is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment.
She has posted 10 percent of a $10,000 bond. Russ? attorney, Joe Kwitakowski, couldn?t be reached for comment.