MARQUETTE — Sergeant Brian Helfert of the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office was terminated from employment Thursday on allegations of criminal sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old Menominee High School student.

The investigation began after Michigan Child Protective Services notified authorities, a press release from the Menominee Police Department states.

A press release from the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department released Thursday states, the investigation into the employment of Helfert has been completed in regards to an allegation of violations of sheriff’s office policies and procedures.

On Wednesday, COHL, Stoker & Toskey P.C. completed the case review and provided labor law consultation to the office of the sheriff. Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Marks has, after a due process hearing, determined that sheriff’s office policies and rules of conduct were violated by Helfert. Helfert was fired by Marks at approximately 8:46 a.m. Thursday.

“Violating rules of conduct will not be tolerated,” Marks stated.

The potential for criminal charges also exists, but will be decided by Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg in the immediate future. The decision by the sheriff is completely unrelated to any decision by the prosecuting attorney to issue criminal charges if any. Helfert is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, the release said.