Corrections Officer Charged

By Patrick Sullivan | Jan. 15, 2019

A Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s corrections officer faces a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of duty for allegedly helping inmates pass notes to one another in the jail.

In some instances, Brandon Veenstra passed notes between inmates that had "no contact" orders filed against them by the court, according to a Michigan State Police press release issued on Monday.

Sheriff’s officials learned of the allegations in September and after meeting with prosecutors, asked the state police to investigate. Meanwhile, Veenstra, a 37-year-old Cadillac resident, was terminated from his employment.

Police said there was no indication any other employees were involved.

Veenstra was arraigned on the charge Friday and is scheduled for a pre-trial on January 22.

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