The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office has issued several criminal charges against Kellie Leigh Bartlett, of Charlotte, for allegedly making false allegations of criminal sexual conduct against an Eaton County Deputy, the office said Friday.

The charges stem from a lengthy investigation by Michigan State Police and a Mission Team consisting of detectives from the Allegan and Kent County Sheriff’s Offices.

 

Bartlett is charged with two felony counts of using a computer to commit a crime; two felony counts of identity theft; three felony counts of unauthorized access to a computer; one count of felony conspiracy; one count of false report of a felony; two counts of misdemeanor stalking; one count of intentional dissemination of sexually explicit visual material, and two misdemeanor counts of using a computer to commit a crime. 

 

Bartlett, a clerk, and the deputy were employees of the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office when they began a relationship in late 2015.  The relationship ended when the deputy, who is the alleged victim in several of the charges, ended the relationship in the spring of 2017 and requested that the Bartlett cease contact with him.

 

When Bartlett continued contact, the victim advised his superiors and a Mission Team was assigned to investigate Bartlett for stalking. As of December 2017, Bartlett no longer worked for the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office. In January 2018, she filed a complaint with the Michigan State Police alleging the deputy had sexually assaulted her in March, 2017.

 

Following an investigation, the Michigan State Police and Mission Team cases were turned over to the Eaton County Prosecutor, who recused their office due to a conflict of interest. The case was assigned to the Barry County Prosecutor’s Office in spring, 2018.

 

“My review of the evidence from both investigations raised suspicion that the allegation against the deputy could be false,” said Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor-Pratt. “Considering that the rate of false reports of sexual assault is extremely rare, two to eight percent, a thorough investigation was necessary to ensure a fair and just outcome.

 

“The material in this case is voluminous and multifaceted and has taken months to review and analyze.  This office thoroughly reviews all allegations of sexual assault, as we do suspected false allegations,” Nakfoor-Pratt said.

 

Bartlett was arraigned Friday in Eaton County District Court, Bond set at $50,000.