Crime & Safety

Man Who Passed Polygraph Sentenced After Asking to Withdraw Plea to Sexually Touching 2 Girls

Two adults in the house at the time the alleged acts occurred said the Highland Township man was never in the same area as the girls, ages 12 and 14.

A Highland Township man said he took agreement on charges that he sexually touched two minors last year “for numerous reasons,” including the recommendation of his attorney, but claims he’s innocent of the charges.

Jeffrey Lee Keyes was accepted the deal, which is not an admission of guilt, then tried to withdraw his plea at a later date, The Observer & Eccentric reports.

“I would never admit to anything I didn’t do,” he reportedly said.

Find out what's happening in White Lake-Highlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The request was denied, and Livingston County Probate Judge Miriam Cavanaugh sentenced to five years of probation, with the first year to be served in the Livingston County Jail. He will spend the remainder of his probation on electronic monitoring.

Keyes was arrested after two girls, ages 14 and 12, alleged in February 2013 that he had inappropriately touched them while they were babysitting at the home of Keyes’ friend in Brighton Township.

Find out what's happening in White Lake-Highlandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Court records show that Keyes passed a polygraph, and two adults in the house at the time of the alleged acts backed up his claims of innocence, telling police that he was never in the same area of the house as the two girls.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from White Lake-Highland