MONROE — A former Monroe County district judge pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of misconduct in office following his March arrest for hiring prostitutes.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the plea to the four felony counts, which each carry five-year maximum prison sentences. His office said Jarod Calkins admitted to the facts in the affidavit during his plea hearing in Monroe County Circuit Court. Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Archie Brown heard the case after Monroe County judges recused themselves.
Calkins resigned in April after he was initially charged with one felony count of transporting a person for the purposes of prostitution as well as four misdemeanor counts of hiring women for the purpose of prostitution following an investigation by the Michigan State Police. The attorney general said in a statement that the plea deal allows the victims to remain anonymous.
The investigation started after state police were told of “prostitution-related activities” at a Monroe Township hotel. Investigators learned a person matching Calkins’ description met women at the hotel for sex in exchange for money, according to a news release.
According to the criminal complaint, Calkins set up accounts on the dating app Tinder, dating website OkCupid, and on Facebook to meet women for sex. He told them he wanted to be their “sugar daddy,” and said he would provide gifts and money in exchange for sex.
Prosecutors intend to request a “term of incarceration” when Calkins is sentenced Nov. 29.
First Published September 5, 2018, 10:06 p.m.
