By JESSICA SIEFF
Niles Daily Star

Niles Township Trustee Michael Bailey, 37, pleaded guilty in Berrien County Court today to indecent exposure.

Judge Scott Schofield listened to an account of the incident in question spoken by Bailey, verifying with the defendant that his “penis was exposed and (the victim) could have felt it or seen it.”

Details of just what transpired to lead to Bailey’s arrest are still sketchy. The Star has requested a full police report from the Michigan State Police, which handled the arrest.
The charge is considered a misdemeanor and following the plea, Bailey addressed the court, saying he was sorry to waste the court’s time “for not doing the right thing on my part.”

Schofield said the matter was not a waste of time.

“We’re doing something really important here, Mr. Bailey,” he said. “We’re protecting (the victim) from you.”

Bailey was put on probation and ordered to pay various fees and costs in the amount of $1,200, as well as 50 hours of community service.

The Niles Township government official was also ordered to be evaluated as to whether or not sex offender counseling would be needed, and Schofield said no contact is to be had between Bailey and his victim.