COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Some parents in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District say they first learned that a volunteer middle school wrestling coach was facing criminal sexual conduct charges not from the school, but when his mugshot started circulating among students on social media.
Local 4 is told Dorien Jackson, 22, of Warren, is now removed from his duties as a volunteer wrestling coach for Clifford H. Smart Middle School in Commerce Township, but some parents say they saw it online before ever hearing from the school or district.
One parent told Local 4 that many of the wrestlers seemed to like Jackson and looked up to him.
Jackson is charged with two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the third-degree using force. Records show the sex charges also required HIV testing. The charges were filed back in January of 2025 and stemmed from an incident in Waterford Township in March of 2024.
“That means there’s been penetration, and that the person that was penetrated has the risk of having a sexually transmitted disease,” said Lillian Diallo, President of the Wayne County Criminal Defense Bar and long-time practicing attorney. “And that’s a child, and when you’re saying force... It’s all hideous, right? But that means you took something aggressively, right? That’s the problem.”
Despite that, sources tell Local 4 that Jackson had been attending wrestling events with minors up to at least late January of 2026. According to those sources, he disclosed to another coach on Jan. 23, 2026, that he would miss an invitational “due to preparation for a court hearing.”
Local 4 tried to get a copy of the police report, but the request was denied. The denial cited, in part: “Information personal in nature…. and unwarranted invasion of personal privacy….” Police also cited Michigan’s Child Protection Law and a “sex-motivated crime against a juvenile.”
Sources also told Local 4 that a concerned parent alerted the assistant principal to Jackson’s incarceration on Feb. 2, 2026 -- the same day an email went out to families, saying, in part: “administration was made aware of an incident involving an individual who previously attended a small number of organized CHS wrestling team practices… This individual’s presence at team practices came while currently awaiting a pending legal action.”
Local 4 asked the school and district how long Jackson had been volunteering, if there was a background check, when he started coaching and when he was removed. The only written response provided to us was an email from the principal, which we were told went out to parents this week. The full message, from Nayal Maktari, Clifford Smart Middle School Principal, reads:
“Dear CHS wrestling families:
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding a communication I shared with you last week. As you know, a volunteer who previously attended CHS wrestling team practices has been removed from participating in team activities.
At this point in time, the allegations and incident in question do not appear to involve any students or staff members from Clifford Smart Middle School. Nor do the allegations or incident in question involve District events, facilities, or property. The individual in question will not be allowed on school property or allowed to engage in any District-related activities.
As the incident and the allegations do not appear to involve our school or school district, we would refer all questions and concerns to local law enforcement. Should law enforcement seek information from the District, our policy is to cooperate fully.
In the Walled Lake Consolidated School District, we are committed to the safety and security of our students, staff, and families. Please know that all related matters are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
If you have any further questions, please contact me directly.
Thank you for your continued support.”
When Local 4 asked for further comment, we were told the district was preparing for mid-winter break, and a spokesperson was “unable to follow up on the questions you shared at this time.”
Jackson faces up to 15 years in prison, along with sex offender registration and monitoring. He is set to be sentenced on April 6, 2026.