U-M medical resident charged with possessing child pornography
A medical resident at the University of Michigan Health System was charged Saturday with four counts of possessing child pornography.
He has been suspended from UMHS.
A U-M statement included in the email and published in the University Record asserts that “at this point, there is no indication of illegal or inappropriate behavior with patients" and that the school is launching an internal review and cooperating with police investigators.
U-M says it is "taking all appropriate measures in view of the serious allegations."
The statement does not say if the school knew about an investigation into Jenson's alleged criminal activity before charges were filed. Jenson's suspension means he cannot see patients, access medical records or enter any U-M facility.
According to U-M, Jenson was released from the Washtenaw County Jail on a personal recognizance bond of $10,000 and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 28.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
dingdong
Sat, Dec 24, 2011 : 4:03 a.m.
If you think this is bad, you should see what heinous acts transpire on medical missions to 3rd world countries. Drs with underaged prostitutes drunken and drug fueled parties. All very common... Drs taking their high school aged kids and friends who are allowed to do surgical procedures and really endanger the lives of those they are supposed to be helping.. ETC ETC.... Any time I hear of a Dr bragging on being involved in medical missions, I immediately become suspicious and my mind tries to place them into the pervert or weirdo category. Their colleagues turn their head and a blind eye to it all. Somone should write an article on it and expose this common behavior on medical missions. Its about time for someone to expose it.
BhavanaJagat
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
The sexual ethics of medical practice : I generally understand the moral and immoral aspects of human sexual conduct and behavior by reading instructions such as the Third Book of Moses called Leviticus, Chapter 20. A physician is exposed to the nakedness of children, and adults and hence need training to morally prepare themselves to observe the nakedness for the benefit of the patient and avoid the seeking of sexual gratification. If such psychological training and moral preparation is included in the academic program, this medical resident would not have indulged in this alleged crime. Most psychologists believe in the importance of environmental stimuli in human behavior. This resident has been exposed to environmental stimuli that could contribute to his behavior. Such stimuli cannot be avoided in medical care and it is imperative to train people to overcome environmental stimuli.
John of Saline
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
One wonders how often such material is planted on people's computers in order to get them in trouble. Not saying that's the case here, but if you leave your network open (no password to access) or you leave your laptop for a moment unprotected.... I wonder how often that has happened.
John of Saline
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
Ideally, yes. But before someone's sent away for years with a career ruined it would be nice to confirm he actually is guilty of the crime and not just lax on computer security measures. Again, no idea how easy it would be to "set up" someone this way (it would involve the perpetrator themselves possessing child porn).
Chelsea8226
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 5:52 p.m.
At UMHS a employee has to log in and it is THEIR responsibility to log off when done using the computer. Isn't it everyone's own personal responsibility to keep their information safe and protect themselves?
Chelsea8226
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 3:44 p.m.
I think that it is important for the public to remember several things. During med school one fundamental principal future physicians learn is "do no harm." They take this oath and are supposed to live and practice this. To speculate that these pictures are medical in nature, or the others involved are 16 or 17 years old should not even be assumed. This is a serious accusation and should be treated that way until proven otherwise. It is also important to remember that we do not know all of the details regarding this case and this article and investigation are only beginning to scratch the surface. As we have seen from recent events in the news, and as time goes on in these types of investigations, more information comes out and surfaces, more people come forward and something that started out small tends to grow. These types of accusations are not usually made or investigated w/o reason. Time will tell Dr. Jensen's fate, it is not for us to decide or speculate. We hopefully all know right from wrong and when something or someone doesn't sit right with us. Obviously there was a reason law enforcement felt he needed to be investigated.
Silly Sally
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
All we have is a headline. We still do not kn ow the facts, the picture could be of a 17-1/2 year old. It could be medical in nature. Far too many are acting as if it is pictures of 5 year olds. We simply have no idea what it is or any idea about his innocence or guilt. All we have is a headline.
15crown00
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 12:08 p.m.
IF this guy goes to trial and is found guilty his career is over before it began. That's as it should be. Remember the 1st word is IF.
Lily'sMom
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 5:43 a.m.
@BahavanaJagat: Considering your frequent comments of a medical nature, you appear to have medical training. Therefore, you MUST know that sexual desire is normal. Pedophilia is not. Said another way--it is normal for adults to have sexual desire. It is NOT normal for adults to have sexual desires of children.
BhavanaJagat
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 5:29 a.m.
The need for Training : This young doctor is planning to specialize in medicine and pediatrics and hence it is appropriate to give such residents the benefit of proper training. The course of study may include medical ethics and it may not be adequate in its scope. Medical professionals need psychological training to shape their behavior to meet the needs of the profession. It is rather sad to note that he has been suspended; this is punishment without fully establishing his guilt or innocence.
Roadman
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 1:13 a.m.
It is important to note that this physician is innocent until proven guilty. We know none of the facts as of yet. He may be disputing whether or not the material constitutes pornograhy or whether he possessed the material. He may also be raising First Amendment defenses such as Stanley versus Georgia, the 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case that held one cannot be prosecuted for possessing pornography or Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues. Prurient behavior by professionals has been in the news locally lately with the Judge Creal sex harassment lawsuit and the Dr. Weinblatt criminal case, however due process requires the opportunity for a fair hearing in an impartial tribunal.
BhavanaJagat
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 6 p.m.
The problem of sexual desire : During this Holiday Season, I do not wish to forget the uplifting power of Christ and the Joy of the Season. I am sorry to hear about this medical resident who got arrested and has been suspended. I would still wish him the peace, the peace that is in the promise given by the Lord. Doctors are trained to use their eyes to examine the human body and derive no benefit other than that of proper understanding of the medical condition of the person examined. The training helps the mind to direct the visual search to find signs and symptoms that could suggest a diagnosis of the condition. It is often told that the eyes see what the mind knows. If my mind knows a clinical sign called icterus, my eyes see and look for yellowish discoloration of conjunctiva. If the examiner's mind is occupied with thoughts of sexual desire, the examiner would often miss the signs and symptoms of the disease. For a trained medical professional, viewing images on a screen, or photos goes against the spirit of the profession which is established on the basis of trust, confidence, and providing an intervention just for the benefit of the patient. However, medical schools may not be training students about the problem of sexual desire. We need to carefully examine our educational system and train students to deal with human nature in a realistic manner. I have no hesitation to blame the School for it may not have provided the skill to cope with the problem of sexual desire.
justcurious
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
I respect what you are saying. But I would have to take issue with this comment - "I have no hesitation to blame the School for it may not have provided the skill to cope with the problem of sexual desire." I do not believe that sexual interest in children is normal behavior. Perhaps I misunderstood?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
After providing five links, trespass wrote: "The UM sounds like a safe place doesn't it!" Five stories about an organization with 35,000 students and more than 30,000 employees? Sounds pretty safe statistically, to me. Good Night and Good Luck
Smart Logic
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
You may also want to recognize that the 5 stories in no way cover all of the police activity of UM.
Lady Audrey
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 7:48 p.m.
Thank you for being logical.
RoboLogic
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
Mayhem is everywhere.
Fat Bill
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
People need to remember that this sort of behavior cuts across all social strata. It isn't front page news when a truck driver or fry cook gets accused of possession of child porn; the reality is that doctors are people too, not gods or machines, and they are not infallible.
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
Why was this investigated by campus police? If the pornography was on his home computer then it would be off campus. Does this mean that he was using hospital computers? Was he using a UM email address? How did this get into the jurisdiction of the campus police?
johnnya2
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.
There are a multitude of reasons the DPS could be involved. Of course it really is not important to the facts of the case. If he is a resident, he is working a lot of hours. I would say a laptop brought to the hospital would place this under their jurisdiction. A umich.edu email address would also make the U involved. I will reserve judgement on this case until ages of the so-called children are released as well. The laws regarding child porn are ridiculous in many instances. The fact is, a man of 65 is legally allowed to have consensual sex with a 16 year old girl, but a 19 year old student is committing a felony by looking at naked images of his 17 year old girlfriend online. I know of a case where prosecutors arrested a 22 year old man for having child porn on his computer, and the case was thrown out when the images they determined to be child porn turned out to be images of him.
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 11:28 p.m.
You may misunderstand my point. I am not saying that campus police don't have the competence. Rather, I am asking where the crime occurred. In order to be in their jurisdiction it must involve some University property, such as a UM computer or a UM email address.
Mick52
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.
Even if the evidence was on his home computer, evidence law allows for the UM police to investigate the crime if any of his transmissions went through the University computing systems. There are some cases where crimes can be prosecuted in any place where the activity "touches down." They cannot prosecute him just because he is a UM employee. It was perhaps tracked through an internet protocol number, or maybe he had his computer at work and someone saw an illegal image.
Matt Cooper
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
Not only that Peregrine, but the UMDPS often work side-by-side with the AAPD on a variety of cases that are not necessarily limited to campus-involved activity. They are MCOLES certified law enforcement officers, not security guards as many seem to think.
Peregrine
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 9:54 p.m.
From the DPS web site: "The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety (DPS) is a full service law enforcement agency. DPS Police Officers are licensed by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) and have the authority and responsibility to investigate, search, arrest and use reasonable force as necessary to protect persons and property and to enforce the laws of the State of Michigan and the Ordinance of the Regents of the University of Michigan. "
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 4:08 p.m.
In the article from the University Record (follow the link) it says "We are cooperating fully with the Department of Public Safety investigation". The DPS is the University's name for the campus police.
Fbn
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
This story is very light on details, and is reporting what is known right now. Yet, I don't see anywhere in this reporting that the campus police made the arrest or are involved in the investigation. Do you have any additional insight into this? All this states is that the medical school is launching an internal investigation and cooperating with "police."
Silly Sally
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 3:11 p.m.
The actions of a few tarnishing the many. Most doctors are not involved. They are still innocent until convicted. We have no good evidence. Comments such as "..Medical community in Ann Arbor seeming to have some serious character issues of late.." is somewhat similar to what the Catholic Church encountered a decade ago. Just as the vast majority of priests and bishops had nothing to do with this topic, neither do tha vast majority of the "medical community" there is nothing for them to discuss.Its little different than avoiding an ethinic group because one of 2 members were caught in a crime. Is this what the Ann Arbor public needs? NO!
Silly Sally
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
Details would be interesting. The legal age for sex is 16 in Michigan, but if this same minor were to then take a "suggestive"picture of herself, even at age 17, she has committed a crime. If she gives it to a boyfriend, and he keeps it, so has he. But the sex is legal. Go Figure For all we know, he could have one picture of an old high school girlfriend. I'll hold judgement until we have facts.
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
The lack of details is because Kellie Woodhouse is the Higer Ed reporter not the police and courts reporter. No knock on her skills but this was a press release from the University of Michigan rather than the way crimes and police reports are normally covered when it involves the Ann Arbor police or any other municiple police department. It is about the UM protecting the reputation of the institution rather than enlightening the public.
justcurious
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:24 p.m.
I sincerely hope that the comments on this story will not turn into a three-ring-circus. Let's think carefully before placing our fingers on the keyboard. I know that will be very difficult for most of us on here who comment frequently.
justcurious
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 9:59 p.m.
djack24, it is now 4:57 pm and your comment is still here. I don't know what the comments said that have been deleted.
djacks24
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 9:45 p.m.
The comments aren't so much of a 3 ring circus compared to the editing of stories and moderation of comments, but I'm pretty sure this comment will be deleted by the socialist republic of A2.com.
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 1:22 p.m.
It is interesting that in most of these cases we hear from AA.com when the person is arrested or when the search warrant is executed. The names are not released until they are arraigned but the police release some kind of information upon arrest. In this case we are only hearing about this after he is arraigned and after the UM has published a press release. What is the difference? This was handled by UM campus police. How long was the investigation going on? When was he removed from seeing patients? Once again we have campus police more interested in protecting the University's reputation than in being transparent.
Mick52
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 10:38 p.m.
Your accusation that DPS is more interested in protecting the U's reputation has no merit. These investigations can take some time to develop. In regard to releasing information, a university has no obligation to release anything other than what is required by the Clery Act. If you want to see an example of a university that is trying to cover up its reputation see Sandusky at Penn State. The FOIA law protects police departments from having to release information on an open investigation. That is critical in regard to protecting potential evidence and creating excessive public discourse that can lead to claims of the accused not getting a fair jury in the proper jurisdiction. I cannot image why you think police departments should release information prior to arrest or arraignment. "Transparency" has no place in a properly conducted investigation. I think the lack of information from aa.com is because of a lack sources to get the information and/or perhaps an overly protective policy cautious of litigation. If a news media gets information someone is being investigated there is no problem publishing it, as long as it is true.
trespass
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 1:11 p.m.
A former UM Assistant Professor of biology was allowed to work at UM until December 2010 even though the FBI executed a search warrant in July. He was allowed to flee to Israel and is currently a fugitive. <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/crime/former-university-of-michigan-professor-facing-child-porn-charges-leaves-job-as-professor-in-israel/">http://annarbor.com/news/crime/former-university-of-michigan-professor-facing-child-porn-charges-leaves-job-as-professor-in-israel/</a> A UM Associate Professor of Near Eastern Studies and a UM law student were charged with prostitution related charges although they plead down to lesser charges. The professor still teaches at UM and the student was given a Dean Fellowship to work in the Ann Arbor City Attorney's Office. <a href="http://www.michigandaily.com/content/crime/university-professor-law-student-plead-guilty-sex-case" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigandaily.com/content/crime/university-professor-law-student-plead-guilty-sex-case</a> An honors student who threatened to shoot up Wayne State University with a machine gun has been sentenced to probation, avoiding a possible 1-year prison sentence. The 20-year-old Dearborn man apologized for his actions. ...got a significant break. Authorities found images of child pornography on his computer but didn't pursue charges. He now is a student at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. <a href="http://www.abc12.com/story/16225107/student-who-threatened-violence-faces-sentence" rel='nofollow'>http://www.abc12.com/story/16225107/student-who-threatened-violence-faces-sentence</a> UM athletes accused of rape and threats to rape a victim again but no charges filed. <a href="http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Comments-for-the-Regents-Meeting-1117111.pdf</a> Two UM police chiefs gone in short order but no satisfactory explanations as to why. <a href="http://annarbor.com/news/greg-odell-says-leaving-u-m-police-to-return-to-emu-strictly-a-personal-decision/">http://annarbor.com/news/greg-odell-says-leaving-u-m-police-to-return-to-emu-strictly-a-personal-decision/</a> <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/questions-raised-at-university-of-michigan-regents-meeting-about-absence-of-campus-police-chief/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/questions-raised-at-university-of-michigan-regents-meeting-about-absence-of-campus-police-chief/</a> The UM sounds like a safe place doesn't it!
Lady Audrey
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
Hmmm. An individual with a strong sense of personal integrity but a weak ability to draw logical conclusions. Ms/Mr Trespass, what is your personal vendetta about?
Michigan Man
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
Medical community in Ann Arbor seeming to have some serious character issues of late? Throw in the Ann Arbor legal community into this bucket with the recent and apparent sexual harassment case of the Ann Arbor judge. Perhaps it is time for these two prestigious career groups to step back, take account and reassure the Ann Arbor public of their intent to serve those in need, rather than advance their own interests? An intentional and serious self examination of how the Ann Arbor medical and legal community is coming across to the ultimate judges = its patient and clients - seem very necessary in the greater Ann Arbor area. This may be painful for these often self appointed high prestige groups - but a timely and honest effort to reassure those who use medical and legal services is much warranted.
Silly Sally
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.
The actions of a few tarnishg the many. Most doctors are not involved. Comments such as "..Medical community in Ann Arbor seeming to have some serious character issues of late.." is somewhat similar to what the Catholic Church encountered a decade ago. Just as the vast majority of priests and bishops had nothing to do with this topic, neither do tha vast majority of the "medical community" there is nothing for them to discuss.Its little different than avoiding an ethinic group because one of 2 members were caught in a crime. Is this what the Ann Arbor public needs? NO!
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 11 a.m.
Another pediatrician in Ann Arbor charged with pedophiliac activity? It would be helpful if AnnArbor.com can find out what evidence was uncovered and how it was discovered - or have I missed that info in a previous report?
Silly Sally
Sun, Dec 18, 2011 : 2:58 p.m.
The article didn't mention age, it could be of older teens, which is a different word, for all we know. The lack of facts is troubling, as are the cahrges for the profession involved. But charges against 2 pediatricians... Does this mean that all doctors are "unsafe" No, just 2 individuals who still are very likely to be innocent. THis has the start of a media frenzy