Woman's jail time stayed after conviction in inmate sex case

Anne Marie Chelin-Anderson, 57, Holyoke, was sentenced to 90 days in jail on May 23 by Judge Robert Macauley in the Carlton County Court. The sentence was stayed with conditions.

Chelin-Anderson had been charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct of an inmate in a correctional facility, both felonies, for an offense on or about April 23, 2018.

The criminal complaint stated that Chelin-Anderson, a teacher of an employment class for inmates at the Moose Lake prison, had made sexual advances to one of the inmates and later performed sexual acts with him.

Assistant Carlton County Attorney Alexander Saumer stated that the victim was vulnerable, that his liberty was on hiatus. He was not able to leave at the end of the day. Chelin-Anderson had been able to hold dynamic power as a staff member.

Because of the circumstances, the victim was not able to provide consent, he went on to say.

Defense attorney Sarah MacGillis, said that she has gotten to know Chelin-Anderson and that she is sincere, remorseful and willing to accept responsibility.

She spoke about Chelin-Anderson's education, which included a Ph.D, and that she was now branded a felon and has to register as a sex offender. She will lose all of her professional licenses and was fired from two part-time jobs after she pleaded guilty.

"Her plan for the second act is done," she told Judge Robert Macauley. "Everything that she planned to do later in life after she turned 40 is done."

McGillis recommended counseling instead of jail time.

The judge stayed imposition of the 90-day sentence for five years with conditions.

Chelin-Anderson will have to complete a therapy program as required. She will have to be

financially responsible and have no contact with the victim. She will have to register as a predatory sex offender.

Macaulay asked Chelin-Anderson to report back for a review hearing Nov. 7.

"Ms. McGillis said that your second act is done because of this," he told the defendant. "I wouldn't put it that way. Your second act just might be different. I hope to hear that your second act is going well and meeting expectations."