Washtenaw County deputy pleads guilty following inmate assault

A corrections deputy in Washtenaw County pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection to assaulting an inmate, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.

Cpl. Christopher Ellul was bound over to circuit court in July after being among officers charged as a result of several public integrity investigations conducted by Nessel’s Public Integrity Unit (PIU).

In August 2020, Ellul was working at the Washtenaw County Jail when he assisted in removing an inmate from a cell. Video evidence shows that Ellul grabbed the restrained inmate by the neck twice.

Tuesday afternoon Ellul pleaded guilty to disorderly person - jostling before Judge Carol Kuhnke. The Department accepted a plea in this case for multiple reasons including the involved inmate since left the state.

“We will continue to pursue instances of police misconduct,” Nessel said. “Those who violate their oath to protect and serve must be held accountable.”

Sentencing is scheduled for May 17 in front of Judge Kuhnke.