Former Hillsdale County Deputy Pleads Guilty to Misconduct

LANSING – A former Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Deputy will never be a law enforcement officer again after pleading guilty to misconduct in office, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today. 

Todd Barkley, 46, of Brownstown Township, pled guilty to one count of misconduct in office and will be sentenced to three years’ probation, in addition to the prohibition on him serving as law enforcement.  

Barkley arrested a woman on multiple occasions and then exploited his position with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office to coerce the female suspect into a sexual relationship. While off duty, Barkley drove to Fulton, Kentucky where the woman was being treated for substance abuse and used his badge to take the woman out of the facility for the day for the purposes of engaging in sex. Barkley also engaged in sex with the woman in Michigan. He has since been fired from the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office. 

“We hold our law enforcement officers to the highest level of honesty and integrity and it’s unfortunate when the public’s trust is violated,” said Nessel. “The Department of Attorney General holds accountable anyone who breaks the law and is a haven for those who have been victimized and exploited.”  

A sentencing date is scheduled for December 14 at 8:30 a.m. before Jackson County Circuit Judge Susan Beebe Jordan.  

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