TUSCOLA – A former Douglas County sheriff's deputy accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a woman in a Tuscola store last spring has been criminally charged with the offense.

Special prosecutor Michael Vujovich said that he filed charges Friday in Douglas County Circuit Court against Russell "Rusty" Stephens, 63, of rural Pesotum.

The four-count complaint stems from an April 23 incident at the Sav-Mor Pharmacy & Gift Shop at 123 Sale St. where the 31-year-old woman was employed.

Vujovich charged Stephens with aggravated battery; battery; criminal sexual abuse; and attempted criminal sexual abuse.

The charges allege that he approached her from behind while she was leaning over a counter in the store, wrapped his right leg around her right thigh, and thrust his pelvis against and between her buttocks.

"She was very, very shocked to have this happen to her in a public place. He was going in to pick up a prescription for somebody else and was in uniform. All indications are that it was spontaneous," said Vujovich. "She made an immediate report."

Vujovich, of the state appellate prosecutor's office, was asked to investigate the woman's report at the request of State's Attorney Kevin Nolan, who represents the sheriff's office as part of his duties.

Douglas County Judge Mike Carroll has recused himself from hearing the case. It has been assigned to Judge Chris Freese, who is based in Moultrie County but travels the 6th Circuit.

Vujovich said the woman did not know Stephens other than perhaps as someone who had come in the store as a customer on prior occasions.

Of the four counts, the aggravated battery, which alleges the contact took place in a public place, is the most serious. It's a Class 3 felony carrying penalties ranging from probation to two to five years in prison upon conviction.

The criminal sexual abuse charge, a Class 4 felony, alleges that Stephens engaged in the contact for his own sexual gratification. The battery and attempted sex abuse charges are both Class A misdemeanors.

Stephens resigned his job as a sheriff's deputy on May 28 as a sheriff's merit board hearing into the misconduct allegations was about to begin. He had been employed with the sheriff's office about five years but had held a number of law enforcement posts around Douglas and Edgar counties for about 30 years.

Vujovich said Stephens will be sent a summons to appear in court Aug. 17 for arraignment on the charges.

Stephens does not have a listed phone number.