After being convicted of molesting a female inmate at Macomb County Jail, a former jail physician was sentenced to serve one year.
Steven Cogswell, 54, of Waterford, began serving his year-long sentence at the St. Clair County Jail following his court date on Feb. 19. In January, Cogswell was found not guilty of five of the six second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
He was found guilty of trading favors with one inmate for sexual contact. Cogswell molested the woman during an appointment she had with him at the jail's medical office.
For his crime, Cogswell could have served anything from probation up to 17 months in prison. Fifteen years is the maximum sentence for molestation. Cogswell received one year in prison, five years' probation and is required to register as a sex offender.
Karen Phillips, who is a victim advocate, read a statement in which the victim requested Cogswell receive jail time.
“Dr. Cogswell took advantage of me the very first day I met him while I was at very low point in my life, and I’m still dealing with the effects,” Phillips said in her statement during Cogswell's hearing. “My mental state has greatly decreased. …I don’t believe that this is the first time Dr. Cogswell did this, but I hope it’s the last. I do believe Dr. Cogswell is a sexual predator. He should not just get a slap on the wrist.”
Steven Rabaut, Cogswell's attorney, asked for probation during the court session and said that Cogswell maintains his innocence.
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