Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy accused of indecent exposure, soliciting sex

Chad Beaudin

Beaudin is out on a personal recognizance bond, said his attorney, Michael Vincent.

“We intend to present a vigorous defense to these charges,” Vincent said. “It’s easy to make accusations.”

Beaudin's wife, a Lenawee County sheriff's deputy, is "unquestionably standing by him," Vincent said.

Beaudin has been on unpaid leave since March 11 when the Sheriff’s Department learned charges were filed, said Derrick Jackson, the department’s director of community engagement. He was initially put on paid leave Feb. 2, Jackson said. Beaudin has been with the department for at least nine years, most recently assigned to the western portion of the county. An internal investigation into the matter continues.

On Jan. 27, Adrian police say Beaudin was nude as he received a massage about 12:30 p.m. at Defined Wellness Center, a massage therapy business on West Maple Avenue.

Beaudin was on his back with a blanket covering his genitals, a police report said. It was moved slightly to allow the therapist to work on his upper thigh muscle, the report said.

As she massaged his thigh, he “moved the blanket,” the report said, exposing himself. She covered him up and continued to massage his thigh, the report said.

According to the report, when she switched to the other leg, Beaudin "kicked off the blanket," and it landed on the floor.

She started to massage his foot, when he "began to masturbate," the report said. He attempted to grab her right hand with his left hand, but she "stepped back and immediately ended the session," the report said.

She asked Beaudin if he had any questions, the report said, when he requested she touch his genitals. She declined, so he offered her a tip, according to the report.

When she declined again, Beaudin asked if he could continue to touch himself, the report said. That's when she left the room, according to the report. The business later sent Beaudin a letter asking him not to return.

The victim told police she was "confused" and "scared" after the incident, the report said. When she left the room, she let other employees deal with Beaudin as she hid in another room, the report said.

She said Beaudin had been a client since 2008 and she was aware of his "status as a law enforcement officer," the report said.

The victim came forward two days after the incident after consulting with her parents and boss, she told police. She said what Beaudin did was not right and that cops are supposed to "help you, not hurt you," the report said.

During a Feb. 2 telephone interview with Adrian police Det. Vincent Emrick, Beaudin said he was nude during the massage, but denied doing anything illegal, a transcript of the interview shows.

"I just received a massage..." Beaudin told Emrick. "I definitely would not come back if I offended somebody so - I'm totally shocked and embarassed, but as far as anything criminal ... No."

Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.