Adrian city commissioner resigns

12/14/2017

ADRIAN — An Adrian city commissioner accused of possessing an illegal, sexually explicit video has resigned his position.

Lenawee County officials charged Devin Stevens, 23, with a single felony count of possessing child sexually abusive material. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment Wednesday in district court.

Mr. Stevens, who did not return a message seeking comment, issued a lengthy Facebook post Wednesday. He announced his resignation effective that day.

Mr. Stevens said he exchanged messages with someone he believed was of legal age but later learned the person was 17 years old.

That person sent a series of graphic videos showing males using a urinal, he said. He said he realized the videos were taken without consent, but did not know one of the individuals recorded in the video was a minor.

He said the online exchange occurred prior to him taking office. He apologized to the public and said he never engaged in a sexual act with anyone under the age of consent or made an unwanted physical advances.

“Many will ask why I am sharing the details of this case with the public, and the answer is simple: You deserve the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be,” Mr. Stevens wrote. “I have always been honest with the people of this city, perhaps too honest, about my life as a young, single, gay man, and I have no regrets about that.”

The Facebook page is linked from his campaign website and Twitter account.

Lenawee County Prosecutor Burke Castleberry declined to discuss Mr. Stevens' post or specifics in the case. He said he expects additional arrests.

Authorities last October used a search warrant to seize Mr. Stevens' phone and computer, he said.

“Basically, we have an ongoing investigation,” Mr. Castleberry said.

Contact Ryan Dunn at rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @RDunnBlade.