FLINT– Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton charged a Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputy today with sexually assaulting and kidnapping a woman who he had just arrested for shoplifting at the Clio Walmart.
George Charles Zofchak II, 40, is charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct first degree, one count of kidnapping, and one count of misconduct in office related to the December 24, 2018 incident. The assault and kidnapping charges carry up to life in prison while the third charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
According to the investigative reports, Zofchak was dispatched to the Walmart Store on Linden Road near M-57 in Vienna Township reference a suspected shoplifting incident.
A male suspect was arrested and in the parking lot his girlfriend was pulled from her vehicle and informed she too was being arrested for shoplifting. Zofchak handcuffed the woman and placed her into his patrol vehicle and later sexually assaulted her.
The next day, the incident was reported to authorities. An investigation led the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department to seek charges from Prosecutor Leyton against Zofchak.
“Nobody is above the law and that especially includes sworn police officers,” said Prosecutor Leyton after issuing the charges. “The public expects and relies on law enforcement to protect us from the criminal element. When the roles are reversed, the public trust is broken,” he said.
“It is imperative that we proceed in a swift and stern manner to see that the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions, justice is served, and the public trust restored,” he said.
