Grand Rapid Press (Michigan)

October 21, 2005 Friday
ALL S EDITION

Psychiatrist accused of criminal sexual conduct

SECTION: STATE; Pg. B6

LENGTH: 235 words

MUSKEGON — A local Michigan Department of Community Mental Health psychiatrist assigned to the Brooks Correctional Facility is accused of sexually touching an inmate and writing him sexually explicit letters.
Rafael Combalecer, 63, of Grand Rapids, was arraigned Thursday in Muskegon County’s 60th District Court on a charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
A preliminary examination is set for Nov. 2. His $15,000 bond was continued.
The charge stems from Combalecer’s alleged contact with a Brooks inmate in May. According to Detective Sgt. Gary Miles of the Michigan State Police post in Grand Haven, Combalecer is employed by the state and is under contract with the Department of Corrections to treat inmates. Miles said Combalecer originally met the inmate while assigned to the Macomb Correctional Facility. The inmate, a 40-year-old Montcalm County man, was a patient of Combalecer’s.
Combalecer and the inmate eventually were shifted to the Brooks facility, where Combalecer continued to treat the inmate, police said.
Miles said the inmate complained to authorities last May of being grabbed on the genitals by Combalecer.
The inmate also received several sexually graphic letters, allegedly written by Combalecer.
An arrest warrant was issued earlier this month.
Miles said Combalecer has been suspended by the state mental health and corrections officials pending the outcome of the charges.