By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — A preliminary examination of criminal charges against a Department of Public Works employee — the outcome of which will determine his continued municipal employment — will be heard next month in 33rd District Court.
Kevin Sargent, 35, was arraigned last month on racketeering charges built upon a year-long investigation by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A review of the evidence against Sargent and Flat Rock Police Sgt. Charles Sanders Jr., 46, will be heard at 9 a.m. March 16 before 33rd District Court Judge James K. Kersten.
If convicted, the two face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors claim that the two conducted a sports betting operation on company time, using city-owned phones and, in Sanders’ case, processing bets from his patrol car.
Sanders was placed on administrative leave by the Flat Rock Police Department; Sargent is on unpaid leave pending a resolution of the charges.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected])