A former Waterford Township teacher admitted in an Oakland County courtroom on Tuesday that she committed sex crimes involving a teenage student, pleading guilty to three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct tied to encounters prosecutors say happened last summer. The plea before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Cheryl Matthews clears the way for sentencing later this spring.
According to The Oakland Press, court records identify the defendant as 27-year-old Jocelyn Sanroman. She entered her guilty plea on Tuesday and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28, 2026. The paper reports that Sanroman admitted to three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct at a hearing before Judge Matthews. The Oakland Press’s coverage is the first local report to detail a plea in the case.
How The Case Began
According to a news release from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, officials announced charges in June 2025 after a fellow teacher reported that Sanroman had told them she was in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student. Prosecutors charged her with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and described the allegations as a serious breach of trust between educators and families. That county announcement launched the criminal case that ultimately led to this week’s plea.
Prosecutor's Statement
Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, "This defendant is accused of using her position of authority to exploit a minor victim." The office praised the teacher who came forward, crediting them with helping protect other students, according to the release. Those comments were included in the county’s original announcement when the charges were filed last year.
Details From Reporting
The Oakland Press reports the alleged incidents occurred in July 2023 and that Sanroman had been tutoring the then-student in Pontiac. Court records identify the victim as a 16-year-old boy, the paper says, and school officials told local media they take student safety seriously. The school named in the original charging notice is Oakside Prep Academy, a charter campus in Waterford Township.
Penalties And Next Steps
Under Michigan law, each count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum term of up to 15 years in prison, meaning a combined theoretical maximum for three counts can reach 45 years, according to WXYZ Detroit. With the guilty plea now on the record, attention shifts to the April 28 sentencing hearing, where Judge Matthews will determine Sanroman’s actual sentence.
Defense and prosecution filings in the run-up to that hearing are expected to flesh out the factual record and any sentencing recommendations. Court records and calendar entries should reflect any updates that follow the April 28 proceeding.
