Court Watching: Paul Henson of Sumpter sentenced to 5 years of probation for accosting

By Diane Madigan
Independent Court Reporter
On May 23, Sumpter Township resident, Paul Edward Henson, 43, was sentenced to 5 years of probation for accosting a child for immoral purposes on Oct. 9.
Other requirements of Henson’s probation are the need to register as a Tier II sex offender and receive sex offender treatment. Henson is to have absolutely no contact with the victim and no contact with anyone less than 17 years of age.
According to the Sumpter Township police report, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, on Oct. 9 Henson wrote a letter to the victim asking her to dress a certain way and inviting her into his bedroom while her mother was at work.
The victim told her school counselor about the letter which started a Child Protective Services investigation. CPS removed the victim from the home and she is now living with her sister.
Sumpter Township Detective John Toth is the officer in charge of the case.
Van Buren Township
Also on May 23, in Circuit Court Judge Gregory D. Bill’s courtroom, Richard Jackson Jr.’s scheduled final conference was postponed until today (May 29). Jackson, 39, was not brought to court from Wayne County Jail where he is being held.
Jackson is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the Dec. 17 stabbing death of his wife Travisteen in their Van Buren Township home. Several family members and friends of Travisteen Jackson were in court.
Although Jackson has an Aug. 7 trial date scheduled, Jackson’s court appointed attorney Mark Procido was heard saying he didn’t think the case should go to trial. Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor Nicole James has been assigned the case.
Van Buren Township Detective Donovan McCarthy is the officer in charge of the case.