Charges: Psychologist with Minnesota Sex Offender Program sexually assaulted 2 clients at Moose Lake facility

A staff member with the Minnesota Sex Offender Program has been charged after authorities say she sexually assaulted two clients at the Moose Lake facility.

According to a criminal complaint, Michelle Brownfield has been charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The Minnesota Sex Offender Program serves those who are court-ordered to receive sex offender treatment after their prison sentences are complete, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

The complaint states that Brownfield is a licensed psychologist and performs "psychological assessments and evaluations of clients at the facility."

Authorities began an investigation in October 2020 after it was reported that Brownfield had a sexual relationship with a client at the facility.

The complaint says Brownfield had inappropriate sexual relationships with two clients beginning in 2016 and 2017.

The complaint also says investigators collected text communications between Brownfield and one of the client’s sisters where Brownfield "makes multiple statements about strong romantic feelings" for the client.

During a search of Brownfield’s phone, investigators found "a great deal of sexually explicit material," which included "written entries describing sexual arousal during assessment of sexual offenders."